Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 2

1 VVHY do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing ?

Upon what provocation, or to what end or purpose?

Or, Gentiles: who did so against David. as we see 2. Sam. 5. 6, 17. 1. Chr. 14. 8. &c. and against Christ, Luk. 18. 32. Act. 4. 25, &c.

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 Iews or Israelites, who also combined against David, 2, Sa[illegible: 1+ letters]. 2. 8, &c. and against Christ, Act. 4. 27. tho 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.

What they shall never be able to effect, and if they could, it would do them no good, as they fancy, but great hurt.

Marginal references: Act. 4. 25.; Or, tumultuously assemble.; Heb. meditate.

2. The kings of the earth set themselves , and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD , and against his anointed , saying,

Either those mentioned 2. Sam. 5. & 8. or rather Herod the great, and the other Herod, and Pilate and others with or after them.

So called in way of contempt, and to shew their madness in opposing the God of heaven.

The word notes their firm purpose and professed hostility, and the combination of their counsels and forces.

Either directly and professedly; or indirectly and by consequence, because against his anointed, and against his counsel and command.

Or, that is, as that particle is oft used, the latter clause explaining the former, and shewing in what sence they fought against that God whom they pretended to own and worship.

Against such a King whom God hath chosen and exalted, and wonderfully accomplished and set up for his work and service, who therefore will certainly defend him against all his Enemies.

3. Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us .

(i. e.) The lords and his anointeds.

Which they design to put upon our necks that they may bring us into subjection. They mean the laws of God, which the King would oblige them to observe, which though easy and pleasant in themselves and to good men, Mat. 11. 29, 30. 1. Iohn 5. 3. yet are very grievous and burthensom to corrupt nature, and to men of wicked lives.

The same thing expressed with a little more emphasis. Let us not only break off their yoke and the cor[illegible: 1+ letters]s by which it is fastened upon us, but let us cast them far away, that they may never be recovered, and we may never be brought into bondage again.

Marginal references: Nah. 1. [illegible: 1 word].

4. He that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh : the LORD shall have them in derision.

As the Judg upon his tribunal, and as the King of the whole world upon his royal throne; who without stirring from his place, can with one look or word destroy all his enemies.

This is opposed to their being, and reigning upon earth, v. 2. and is mentioned here, as it is in other places of Scripture, as an evidence both of Gods clear and certain knowledg of all things that are done below, as is noted Psal. 11. 4. And of his soveraign and irresistible power, as is hence gathered, Psal. 115. 3. See the preface to the Lord's prayer.

(i. e.) Shall both despise and deride them and all their crafty devices, which he shall manifest to the world to be ridiculous, and contemptible follies. Compare 2. Kings 19. 21. Psal. 37. 13.

Marginal references: Psal. 37. 1[illegible: 1+ letters]. & 59. 8. Prov. 1. [illegible: 1+ letters]6.

5. Then shall he speak to them in his wrath , and vex them in his sore displeasure.

In the midst of all their plots and confidences of success,

He shall severely rebuke them▪ not so much verbally as really, by dreadful judgments. For Gods speaking is oft put for his actions; and so here it is explained by vexing in the next branch. Or, he shall pronounce a terrible Sentence against them.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 word].

6. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion .

Notwithstanding all their artifices and powerful combinations.

Heb. I have anointed, (i. e.) designed, appointed, or constituted, as this word is commonly used in Scripture, as of Priests, 1. Chron. 29. 22. and of Prophets, 1. Kings 19. 16, 19, 20. So also of Kings, as Iudg. 9. 8, 15. 2. Sam. 2. 4, 7. & 3. 39. Ezek. 28. 14.

In a singular manner, who hath not his kingdom by succession from former Kings, nor by election of the people, as other Kings have, but by my special and extraordinary destination; and who ruleth in my stead, and according to my will, and for my service and glory.

(i. e.) Over my Church and People. Sion properly and strictly taken, was an hill on the north part of Ierusalem, Psal. 48. 2. where there was a strong fort, which when David had taken he called it the City of David, 2. Sam. 5. 7, 9. and made it the head of his Kingdom. But in a more large and improper sence it is frequently put for the City Ierusalem, Psal. 48. 12. & 87. 2 & 110. 2. and for the Temple of Ierusalem, Psal. 137. 3. Isa. 18. 7. Ier. 51. 10. which was built upon the hill of Moriah, which was either a part of mount Sion, or another hill adjoyning to it; and for the Church of the Iews, Psal. 65. 1. & 69. 36. & 97. 8. and for the Christian Church, Heb. 12. 22. Revel. 14. 1. And by these things it is plain why Sion is here called Gods holy Hill▪

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word].; Heb. [illegible: 1 word] lion the hill of [illegible: 1 word] holyness.

7. I will declare the decree : the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my son , this day have I begotten thee .

Or, publish, that all people concerned may take notice of [illegible: 1 word] and submit to it upon their peril. Publication or promulgation is essential to all laws or statutes.

Or, concerning the [illegible: 1 word], (i. e.) the will or pleasure and appointment of God concerning my advancement into the throne, and the submission and obedience which the people here following shall yield to me.

Which though it may in some sort be said to, or of D[illegible: 1+ letters]id, who was in some respects the son of God, and begotten by him, as all believers are, Iohn, 1. 12. 1. Iohn 3. 9. I[illegible: 1+ letters]m. 1. 18. yet much more truly and properly belongs to Christ, who is commonly known by this title both in the old and new Testament, as Prov. 30. 4. Hose. 11. 1. Mat. 2. 15. and 3. 17. and 4. 3. 6. and oft elsewhere: and to whom this title is expresly appropriated by the holy Ghost, who is the best interpreter of his own words, Act. 13. 33. Heb. 1. 5. and 5. 5. and to whom alone the following Passages belong.

This is also applied by some to David, and so this day is the day of his inauguration, when he might be said to be begotten by God, inasmuch as he was then raised and delivered from all his troubles and calamities, which were a kind of death, and brought forth and advanced to a new kind of life, of royal state and dignity; and so this was the birth-day tho not of his Person, yet of his Kingdom, as the Roman Emperors celebrated a double birthday; first the Emperor when he was born, and then the Empires, when he was advanced to the Empire. But this is but a lean and far-fetched and doubtful Sence; and therefore not to be allowed by the laws of Interpretation, when the words may be properly understood concerning Christ. And so this may be understood either, 1. Of his eternal generation. This day, from all eternity, which is well described by this day, because in Eternity there is no succession, no yesterday, no to morrow, but it is all as one continued day or moment without change or flux; upon which account one day is said to be with the Lord as long as a thousand years, and a thousand years as short as one day, 2, Pet. 3. 8. or rather, 2. Of the manifestation of Christ's eternal Son-ship in time; which was done partly in his birth and life, when his being the son of God was demonstrated by the Testimony of the Angel, Luke 1. 32. and of God the father, Mat. 3. 17▪ and 17. 5. and by his own words and works; but principally in his Resurrection, which seems to be here mainly intended, of which day this very place is expounded, Acts 13. 33. When Christ was in a most solemn manner declared to be the son of God with Power, Rom. 1. 4. And this day or time Christ might very well be said to be begotten by God the Father, partly because the Resurrection from the dead is in Scripture called a regeneration or second birth, Mat. 19. 28. as well it may, being a restitution of that very being which m[illegible: 1+ letters]n received by his first birth, and that by the peculiar and mighty power of God: partly because in this respect Christ is called the first-begotten of the dead, Revel. 1. 5. and partly because of that common observation, That things are oft said to be done in Scripture when they are only declared or manifested to be done: of which see Instances, Gen. 41. 13. Ier. 1. 10. Ezek. 43. 3. and elsewhere.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters] de [illegible: 1+ letters].; Act. 1[illegible: 1+ letters]. 33. Heb. 1. 5.

8. Ask of me and I shall give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance , and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy Possession.

Claim or demand it of me, as thy right by my promise, and thy birth and purchase.

To be possessed and enjoyed by thee in a manner of an Inheritance, to wit, constantly, surely, and perpetually.

Either 1. the whole land of Canaan from one end of it to the other, as this Phrase is used Psal. 61. 2. and 72. 8. which is but a very narrow sence, and that was but a very small Kingdom, and no way agreeable to those magnificent expressions here used. Or rather, the whole world, not only the Jewish Nation, but the Gentiles also, as this phrase is almost universally used in the old Testament, as Psal. 19. 4▪ and 22. 28. and 46. 10. and 65. 5. Isa. 40. 28: and 45. 22, &c. And so these words declare the great amplitude of the Kingdom of the Messiah.

Marginal references: Psal. [illegible: 1+ letters]2. 8.

9. Thou shalt break them with a rod of Iron , thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potters vessel.

(i. e.) Those people that will not quie[illegible: 1+ letters]ly submit to thee, shall be crushed and destroyed by thee.

With thy mighty power, which they shall never be able to resist.

Marginal references: Rev. 2. 27. & 19. 15.

10. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings : be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

Understand your true interest.

Whilest you have time and space for repentance and submission.

You and your people. But he speaks of, and to Kings only, partly, because they most needed he admonition, as presuming upon their own power and greatness; and thinking it below them to submit to him; partly, because their authority and example could do much with their people: and par[illegible: 1+ letters], to [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] greatness of thi[illegible: 1+ letters] Mon[illegible: 1+ letters]rch, and [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] was [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] Lord of Lords.

Or [illegible: 1 word], [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word]. the [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] Kings in the former branch.

11. Serve the LORD with [illegible: 1 word] , and rejoyce with trembling .

(i. e.) with reverence and an awful sence of his great and glorious Majesty, as very careful and diligent to [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] and affraid to offend him.

Do not [illegible: 1 word] his yoke [illegible: 1 word] dishonour and grievance; but know that it is a greater [illegible: 1 word] and happiness to be the subjects of this King, than to [illegible: 1 word] Emperors of the greatest Empire; and accordingly rejoyce in it, and bless God for this inestim[illegible: 1+ letters]ble grace and benefit.

This is added to express the quality of this joy to which he calls them, and to distinguish it from that carnal and worldly rejoycing, which is usually attended with security and presumption and licentiousness, and to warn them to take heed that they do not turn this grace of God into wan[illegible: 1+ letters]onness, nor slacken their dread of Gods tremendous Majesty, and of his terrible judgments, if they should h[illegible: 1+ letters]reafter revolt from him, or rebel against him; but on the contrary w[illegible: 1+ letters]rk o[illegible: 1+ letters]t [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters] vation with fear and trembling, as it is prescribed Phil. [illegible: 1+ letters]. 12. Compare Mat. 28. 8.

12. Kiss the son lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way , when his wrath is kindled but a little : blessed are all they that put their trust in him .

In token of your subjection and adoration▪ whereof this was a sign among the Eastern Nations, as is manifest both from Scripture, as 1. Sam. 10. 1. 1. Kings 19. 18. [illegible: 1 word]. 13. 2. and from heathen Authors. Submit to his person and government.

To wit, the son of God, as appears from v. [illegible: 1+ letters]. called here the son, by way of eminency and in a singular manner. Which agrees much better to Christ than to David, who is never particularly called by this name.

(i. e.) Be taken out of the way by death or destruction. Or, perish out of [illegible: 1 word] way, (i. e.) by losing the right way, by taking wrong and evil courses, the end of which will be your certain and utter ruine. Or, for the way, (i. e.) for your evil way or manner of living, for your perverse and foolish course of opposing my son instead of submitting to him. Or, in (which particle is oft understood) the way, (i. e.) in your wicked way or course, in the midst of your plots and rebellions against him; and so you will die in your sins, as it is expressed Iohn 8. 24. which is a sad aggravation of their death, and therefore here fitly proposed as a powerful argument to dis[illegible: 1+ letters]wade them from such dangerous and destructive courses.

(i. e.) The least degree of his anger is very terrible, much more the heat and height of it, caused by such a desperate provocation as this i[illegible: 1+ letters]. Or, for his wrath will be kindled shortly, or suddenly, or within a very little time, as this word is used Psal. 81. 14. [illegible: 1 word]. 3. 4. Isa. 26. 20. His patience will not last always, but will shortly be turned into fury; and therefore take heed that you neither deny nor delay subjection to him, but spe[illegible: 1+ letters]dily comply with his offers and commands before it be too late.

Who put themselves under his power and protection, believing in him, and expecting safety and happiness from him. Which cannot with any colour be applied to David, who always di[illegible: 1+ letters]wades all men from putting their trust in Princes, or in any men or thing besides or below God, Psal. 20. 7. and 44. 6. and 62. 6, 7, 8. and 118. 8. and 146. 3. and every where; and therefore it would very ill have become him to invite others to [illegible: 1 word] their trust in him. And he is pronounced cursed that [illegible: 1+ letters] eth in man, Ier. 17. 5. But Christ is every where propounded as an Object of trust, not only in the new Testament, but al[illegible: 1+ letters]o in the old, as I[illegible: 1+ letters]a. 28. 16. And therefore they are most truly and fitly said to be blessed that put their trust in him. Under which sentence the contrary is implied, that they are most cursed and miserable creatures that provoke and oppose him; and so cursed and miserable that David dreaded the very thoughts and mention of it, and therefore expresseth it by the contrary and blessed condition of his Friends and Subjects. And such like significations of the miseries of sinners by the blessedness of others opposed to them, we have Mat. 23. 39. Revel. 14. 13.

Marginal references: O[illegible: 1+ letters] [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word]. 1[illegible: 1+ letters]2. 22.; [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1+ letters]6. 2[illegible: 1+ letters]. [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1 word]. 1[illegible: 1+ letters]. J[illegible: 1+ letters]r. 17. 7. R[illegible: 1+ letters]m. [illegible: 1+ letters]. 33. & 1[illegible: 1+ letters]. 11. 1. Pet. 2. 6.