John Trapp on Psalms 2:1

PSAL. II.

Verſ. 1 VVHy do the Heathen rage?] Why? or for what? The Pſalm beginneth abruptly, with an angry interrogation, q.d. What? are they mad to attempt ſuch things, as whereof they can neither give any good reaſon, nor expect any good effect? The Lord Chriſt of whom David was both a Father and a Figure, (as here appeareth) ſhall ſurely reign, maugre all the rage and reſiſtance of his enemies, who may ſeem to be ambitious of their own deſtruction, and are therefore in this Pſalm ſchooled, and counſelled to deſiſt. Nothing is more irrational than irreligion; Why do the Heathen tumultuouſly rage, or hurtle together, Fremunt & ferociunt? When the Philiſtines heard that David was made King in Hebron, they came up to ſeek him, and to unking him, 2 Sam. 5.17. ſo the Heathen and People, that is, Gentiles and Jews would have dealt by Chriſt, Acts 4.25, 26. The Devil ever ſince hee was caſt out of Heaven, tumultuateth, and keepeth ado; ſo do unruly ſpirits acted and agitated by him. Dan. 6.15. Then thoſe men kept a ſtir with the King againſt Daniel; it is the ſame Hebrew word that is here, and poſſibly Daniels ſpirit might think of Davids terms. John 11.33. Jeſus troubled himſelf, but after another manner than theſe his enemies; his paſſions were without mud, as clear water in a Chryſtal Glaſs; what was an act of power in Chriſt, is an act of weakneſs, if not of wickedneſs, in others. [non-Latin text not transcribed] Acts 4.25. The Apoſtles Greek word for this in the text denoteth rage, pride, and fierceneſs, as of Horſes that Neigh, and ruſh into the Battel.

And the people imagine] Heb. meditate, or mutter a vain thing, an empty deſign, that ſhall come to noting.

Niteris incaſſum Chriſti ſubmergere puppem: Fluctuat, at nunquam mergitur illaratis. Dipt may the Churches Ship be, but not drown'd; Chriſt will not fail her enemies to confound.

Some think that by this, muttering people are meant, ſuch as act not open outrages againſt Chriſt; but yet in words murmur and mutiny, whiſpering Treaſon.