Psalm 2 Jan. 1    1Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? 2The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against His Anointed saying, 3Let’s break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us. 4He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision. 5Then He will speak to them in His anger, and terrify them in His wrath: 6Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion. 7I will tell of the decree. Yahweh said to me, You are My son. Today I have become your father. 8Ask of Me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost ends of the earth for your possession. 9You shall break them with a rod of iron, you shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. 10Now therefore be wise, you kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth. 11Serve Yahweh with respect and rejoice with trembling. 12Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry and you perish in the way, for His wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in Him.  

Commentary

2:2 His Anointed- The Greek word “Christ” means ‘anointed’. This Psalm is quoted in the New Testament more than any other Scripture. It’s applied in various contexts- e.g. to the Roman and Jewish rulers trying to destroy Christ at His death (Acts 4:26); to the resurrection of Christ (2:7 = Acts 13:33; Heb. 1:5); to the opposition to Christ’s people as they preached the Gospel (Acts 4:25) and to the situation soon after His return, when the rebellious nations will seek to overthrow Christ’s rule (2:9 = Rev. 2:27). What this shows is that Old Testament scripture can have multiple interpretations, in the same way as different people at different times can find the same Scripture speaking personally to them; and as we can find a single Bible passage amazingly relevant to us in different contexts and various times of our lives.