Psalm 2

Psalm 2 is the second psalm of Book One of the Psalms (Psalms 1–41) and has no superscription. Psalm 1 opens with "Blessed is the man," and this psalm closes with "Blessed are all they"; both psalms also say that the "way" of the wicked will perish. For this reason the two are often read together as an introduction to the entire Psalter.

Structure

• Verses 1–3 The nations and the kings of the earth imagine a vain thing, setting themselves against the LORD and against his anointed, and resolve to break their bands asunder.
• Verses 4–6 He who sits in the heavens laughs at them and speaks to them in his wrath, declaring that he has set his king upon his holy hill of Zion.
• Verses 7–9 The king declares the decree of the LORD. The LORD says, "Thou art my Son," and promises to give him the nations for his inheritance and to break them with a rod of iron, dashing them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
• Verses 10–12 The kings are urged to be wise, to serve the LORD with fear, and to kiss the Son. Blessed are all who put their trust in the LORD.

Key Verses

• Psalm 2:2 "against the LORD, and against his anointed" — The Hebrew word for "anointed" is the same as "messiah," linking the psalm to the idea of the Messiah.
• Psalm 2:7 "Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee" — The New Testament applies this verse to Jesus several times.
• Psalm 2:12 "Kiss the Son" — Translations and interpretations of this verse differ.

People and Places

• The LORD — The one who installs the king from heaven and declares him his son.
• The anointed one — The king whom the LORD has anointed and installed. In the New Testament, Acts 4 quotes this psalm as the words of David.
• The kings and rulers of the nations — The earthly rulers who oppose the LORD and his king.
• Zion — The "holy hill" on which the king is installed, that is, Jerusalem.

Points for Reflection

• Old Testament scholarship regards this psalm as a royal psalm used at the enthronement of a king of the Davidic dynasty and connects the designation of the king as "son" with the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:14). Christian tradition has read it as a prophecy of Christ, and Jewish tradition also includes interpretations that apply it to David or to the Messiah who is to come.
• Acts 13 connects "this day have I begotten thee" with the resurrection of Jesus, while Hebrews 1 and Hebrews 5 cite it in support of the Son's status. Interpreters differ in emphasis as to whether the phrase refers to the eternal generation of the Son or to a declaration of enthronement or resurrection.
• The meaning of the Hebrew word rendered "Son" in verse 12 is uncertain, so some translations render it with a word other than "Son."
• The heavenly voice at the baptism of Jesus, "Thou art my beloved Son" (Mark 1:11), is commonly understood to echo verse 7 of this psalm. Verse 9, with its image of ruling with a rod of iron, reappears in Revelation 2, 12, and 19.