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PSALM 2
THE ARGUMENT
The penman of this Psalm was David, as is affirmed, Act_4:25. As for the matter or subject of it, it may seem to have some respect unto David, and to his advancement to and settlement in the throne of Judah and Israel; but the chief design and scope of it, and the primary intention of the Holy Ghost in it, was to describe the Messiah and his kingdom, as is manifest,
1. From express testimonies of the New Testament to that purpose, as Act_4:25 13:33 Heb_1:5 5:5; and
2. From the consent of the ancient Hebrew writers, who did unanimously expound it so, as is confessed by their own brethren, particularly by Rabbi Solomon Jarchi upon this place; who hath this memorable passage, Our doctors expounded this Psalm of the King Messiah, but that we may answer the heretics (by which he means the Christians, as all know) it is expedient to interpret it of David’s person, as the words sound; which words, although they are left out of the latter editions of that book, either by the fraud of Jews, or carelessness or mistake of others, yet are extant in the ancient editions of it.
3. From divers passages of the Psalm, which do not agree to David, but to Christ only, the title of Son, of which see Heb_1:4,5, the extent of his kingdom, Psa_2:8, and Divine worship, Psa_2:11,12.
The kingdom of Christ, and the opposition of the heathen foretold, Psa_2:1-7. God giveth him the earth for his possession, Psa_2:8,9. He summons all the kings and judges of the earth to submit themselves to him, Psa_2:10-12.
Why? upon what provocation, or to what end or purpose?
The heathen, or, Gentiles; who did so against David, as we see, 2Sa_5:6,17 1Ch_14:8, &c.; and against Christ, Luk_18:32 Act_4:25, &c.
And the people: this is either another expression of the same thing, as is usual in Scripture; or as the former word notes the Gentiles, so this may design the Jews or Israelites, who also combined against David, 2Sa_2:8, &c., and against Christ, Act_4:27, though they were all of one nation, and descended from one and the same mother, as this word signifies, and it is used Gen_25:23.
Imagine a vain thing; what they shall never be able to effect; and if they could, it would do them no good, as they fancy, but great hurt.