1. Why do the heathen, &c.--Beholding, in prophetic vision, the
peoples and nations, as if in a tumultuous assembly, raging with a fury like the
raging of the sea, designing to resist God's government, the writer breaks forth
into an exclamation in which are mingled surprise at their folly, and
indignation at their rebellion.
heathen--nations generally, not as opposed to Jews.
the people--or, literally, "peoples," or races of men.
2. The kings and rulers lead on their subjects.
set themselves--take a stand.
take counsel--literally, "sit together," denoting their
deliberation.
anointed--Hebrew, "Messiah"; Greek,
"Christ" (John
1:41). Anointing, as an emblem of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, was
conferred on prophets (Isaiah
6:1); priests (Exodus
30:30); and kings (1 Samuel
10:1, 16:13,
1 Kings
1:39). Hence this title well suited Him who holds all these offices, and was
generally used by the Jews before His coming, to denote Him (Daniel
9:26). While the prophet has in view men's opposition generally, he here
depicts it in its culminating aspect as seen in the events of Christ's great
trial. Pilate and Herod, and the rulers of the Jews (Matthew
27:1, Luke
23:1-25), with the furious mob, are vividly portrayed.
3. The rebellious purposes of men are more distinctly announced by
this representation of their avowal in words, as well as actions.
bands . . . and . . . cords--denote the restraints of
government.
4. By a figure whose boldness is only allowable to an inspired writer,
God's conduct and language in view of this opposition are now related.
He that sitteth in the heavens--enthroned in quiet dignities (compare Psalms
29:10, Isaiah
40:22).
shall laugh--in supreme contempt; their vain rage excites His derision.
He is still the Lord, literally, "Sovereign," though they
rebel.
5. Then shall he speak--His righteous indignation as well as contempt
is roused. For God to speak is for Him to act, for what He resolves He will do (Genesis
1:3, Psalms
33:9).
vex them--agitate or terrify them (Psalms
83:15).
6. The purpose here declared, in its execution, involves their
overthrow.
Yet--literally, "and," in an adversative sense.
I have set--anointed, or firmly placed, with allusion in the Hebrew
to "casting an image in a mould." The sense is not materially varied
in either case.
my king--appointed by Me and for Me (Numbers
27:18).
upon my holy hill of Zion--Zion, selected by David as the abode of the
ark and the seat of God's visible residence (1 Kings
8:1); as also David, the head of the Church and nation, and type of Christ,
was called holy, and the Church itself came to be thus named (Psalms
9:11, 51:18,
99:2,
Isaiah
8:18, 18:7,
&c.).
7. The king thus constituted declares the fundamental law of His
kingdom, in the avowal of His Sonship, a relation involving His universal
dominion.
this day have I begotten thee--as 2 Samuel
7:14, "he shall be My son," is a solemn recognition of this
relation. The interpretation of this passage to describe the inauguration of
Christ as Mediatorial King, by no means impugns the Eternal Sonship of His
divine nature. In Acts
13:33, Paul's quotation does not imply an application of this passage to the
resurrection; for "raised up" in Acts
13:32 is used as in Acts
2:30, 3:22,
&c., to denote bringing Him into being as a man; and not that of
resurrection, which it has only when, as in Acts
2:34, allusion is made to His death (Romans
1:4). That passage says He was declared as to His divine nature to be the
Son of God, by the resurrection, and only teaches that that event manifested a
truth already existing. A similar recognition of His Sonship is introduced in Hebrews
5:5, by these ends, and by others in Matthew
3:17, 17:5.
8. The hopes of the rebels are thus overthrown, and not only so; the
kingdom they opposed is destined to be coextensive with the earth.
heathen--or, "nations" (Psalms
2:1).
and the uttermost parts of the earth--(Psalms
22:27); denotes universality.
9. His enemies shall be subject to His terrible power (Job
4:9, 2 Thessalonians
2:8), as His people to His grace (Psalms
110:2,3).
rod of iron--denotes severity (Revelation
2:27).
a potter's vessel--when shivered cannot be mended, which will describe
utter destruction.
10-12. kings . . . judges--For rulers generally (Psalms 148:11), who have been leaders in rebellion, should be examples of penitent submission, and with fear for His terrible judgments, mingled with trust in His mercy, acknowledge--
12. Kiss the Son--the authority of the Son.
perish from the way--that is, suddenly and hopelessly.
kindled but a little--or, "in a little time."
put their trust in him--or take refuge in Him (Psalms
5:11). Men still cherish opposition to Christ in their hearts and evince it
in their lives. Their ruin, without such trust, is inevitable (Hebrews
10:29), while their happiness in His favor is equally sure.
