PSALM II. 4 HE, who sitteth enthroned in the heavens, laugheth at them; The Lord hath them in derision. 5 Then He speaketh unto them in His anger, And in the heat of His wrath doth He confound them: 6" But as for Me, I have anointed My King 8" Ask of Me, “And I will give Thee the gentiles for Thine inheritance, And for Thy possession the uttermost parts of the earth. 9" THOU shalt crush them with a rod of iron; "Like a potter's vessel, shalt Thou break them in pieces." 10 Now, therefore, O ye kings! be wise; Receive instruction, ye rulers of the earth! 11 Serve JEHOVAH with fear, And rejoice with trembling. 6 The Psalmist introduces Jehovah saying: Be assured, however, that I have &c. - I have anointed &c.-i. e. I have invested with sovereignty. Compare Prov. viii. 23. We read that David was first actually anointed at Bethlehem, in the presence of his brethren, by Samuel. 1 Sam. xvi. 13. Subsequently the men of Judah anointed him upon Hebron to be king over the house of Judah. 2 Sam. ii. 4. Lastly the Elders of Israel anointed him, also upon Hebron, to be king over Israel. 2 Sam. v. 1 Chron. xi. 3. The sacred History does not inform us that David was ever anointed upon Sion, but it is worthy of observation, that, not till after he had conquered the Jebusites 3. 3 and made Sion the Royal residence, did David "perceive that the Lord had established him king over Israel." Then "David perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel." 1 Chron. xiv. 2. Compare Ps. cx. 2. 7 begotten Thee-see Ps. Lxxxix.27. 8 uttermost parts-" And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations." 1 Chron. xiv. 17. 9 See Ps. xLiv. 2. 11 Serve Jehovah-by submitting yourselves to the authority of the king anointed by Jehovah. rejoice &c.-i. e. show, at the exaltation of the Messiah, reverential 1-2 4 Not so are the wicked, But like the chaff, which the wind scattereth. 5 Thus the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 Because JEHOVAH careth for the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked cometh to nothing. PSALM II. 1 WHY do the gentiles tumultuously assemble, And why do the people meditate a vain attempt? 2 Why do the kings of the earth put themselves in array, And the rulers sit together consulting, Against JEHOVAH, And against His Anointed? 3 "Let us burst Their bonds asunder, "And cast away from us Their shackles." 4 Not so-i. e. not like a tree thus favourably planted. 5 stand in the judgment-i. e. succeed when their cause is decided. The terms "to stand" and "to fall" are sometimes used in a legal sense, signifying respectively success and failure. Compare Ps. v. 5. and Ps. cix. 7. - nor sinners &c.-i. e. these will not have a place amongst the true worshippers of Jehovah. Compare Ps. xv. 6 careth for Heb. knoweth or owneth. It alludes to the hostile attempts of the enemies of the royal house of David, intimating that these troubles are one day to cease, when his august descendant, the Messiah, shall reign as universal Lord. We are not to be surprised at the warlike tone of this composition, as being ill suited to the peaceful character of the Messiah's kingdom. In its primary and literal sense (Compare Ps. xvi. 9. Note), it applies to king David, and entirely accords with the idea entertained at the time by the Jewish people, in common with other nations, as to the nature of the kingly office. "Nay but we will have a king over us that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles." 1 Sam. viii. 19. 3 The Psalmist introduces the words used by the enemies of Jehovah and His Messiah. 4 HE, who sitteth enthroned in the heavens, laugheth at them; The Lord hath them in derision. 5 Then He speaketh unto them in His anger, 6 And in the heat of His wrath doth He confound them: 7 I will declare the decree of JEHOVAH. He said unto Me: "THOU art My Son, "This day have I begotten Thee. 8 "Ask of Me, "And I will give Thee the gentiles for Thine inheritance, "And for Thy possession the uttermost parts of the earth. 9 THOU shalt crush them with a rod of iron; "Like a potter's vessel, shalt Thou break them in pieces." 10 Now, therefore, O ye kings! be wise; Receive instruction, ye rulers of the earth! 11 Serve JEHOVAH with fear, And rejoice with trembling. 6 The Psalmist introduces Jehovah saying: Be assured, however, that I have &c. I have anointed &c.-i. e. I have invested with sovereignty. Compare Prov. viii. 23. We read that David was first actually anointed at Bethlehem, in the presence of his brethren, by Samuel. 1 Sam. xvi. 13. Subsequently the men of Judah anointed him upon Hebron to be king over the house of Judah. 2 Sam. ii. 4. Lastly the Elders of Israel anointed him, also upon Hebron, to be king over Israel. 2 Sam. v. 3. 1 Chron. xi. 3. The sacred History does not inform us that David was ever anointed upon Sion, but it is worthy of observation, that, not till after he had conquered the Jebusites and made Sion the Royal residence, did David "perceive that the Lord had established him king over Israel." Then "David perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel." 1 Chron. xiv. 2. Compare Ps. cx. 2. 7 begotten Thee-see Ps. Lxxxix.27. 8 uttermost parts-" And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations." 1 Chron. xiv. 17. 9 See Ps. xLiv. 2. 11 Serve Jehovah-by submitting yourselves to the authority of the king anointed by Jehovah. rejoice &c.-i. e. show, at the exaltation of the Messiah, reverential 12 Kiss His Son, lest He be angry, And ye perish in your course; For soon His anger will kindle. Happy all, who take refuge with Him! PSALM III. I JEHOVAH! how greatly do mine enemies increase! 2 How many are those, who say of me: 3 But Thou, JEHOVAH! art a shield about me; 4 With my voice unto JEHOVAH do I call, And He answereth me from His holy mountain. 5 I lie down, and I fall asleep; I awake, because JEHOVAH Upholdeth me. 6 I am not afraid of the ten thousands of people, Who on every side set themselves in array against me. 7 Arise, JEHOVAH ! Save me, O my God! For Thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheekboneTHOU hast broken in pieces the teeth of the wicked. 8 TO JEHOVAH belongeth salvation. Upon Thy people be Thy blessing! PSALM IV. 1 WHEN I call, answer me, O God of mine innocency! THOU hast set me at large in my strait! Be gracious unto me, and hear my prayer. 2 O ye sons of men! How long will my dignity be your scorn? How long will ye follow after a deceitful hope? 3 Know that JEHOVAH hath set apart for Himself the pious. JEHOVAH heareth when I call unto Him. 4 Tremble and sin not, Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. |