Psalm 2 – “This Is My Son”

Psalm 2 is the renowned second part to the introduction of the Psalter (with Psalm 1). Both Pss. 1 and 2 juxtapose each other; Ps. 2 is the LORD's contemptive response to the derisive nations (the kings of which think they rule) that the Messiah is the true king of all creation. He alone has full power of sovereignty.

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Structure: What are the purposes of the Psalm?

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Commonly accepted 4-point structure [1] consisting of:

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1. vv. 1-3 is rhetorical exclamation; proclaiming a message of current urgency and “astonishment at the rebellion of the nations.” [2]

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2. vv. 4-6 is the LORD’S response, from a prophetic voice. LORD and king are one.

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3. vv. 7-9 tells of the contents of the LORD’S decree – achievement of sonship with complete dominion, today. (The LORD may punish Davidic king but will never disown him.)

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~~ “Ask of me,” in v. 8 seems to suggest a contingency of just and right kingship (ie. Obedience to the LORD’S laws).

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4. vv. 10-12 – the ultimatum is issued! All the kings and rulers of the earth must now bow before THE king, the appointed Messiah.

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Comments: Digging deeper, what is being said?

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Psalm 2 is frequently cited in the NT as prooftext of Jesus’ claim as Messiah. It links the son and the messiah (God’s king) in the same place – the only instance in the OT. [3] And it is often associated closely with Ps. 1 as an introduction to the Psalms. [4]

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Eaton [5] suggests no change of speaker in Ps. 2. The Davidic king speaks in the first and third person throughout. The intention of his speech is the issue of a warning. Mays suggests Ps. 2 is a “poetic speech by the messiah.” [6]

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“The king speaks within the context of enthronement.” Anointing (v. 2), installation (v. 6), legitimation (v. 7) and empowering (v. 9) all point to this context. It is from this context that the king speaks to the world. [7]

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Possibly part of an “annual remembrance or renewal of his enthronement.”

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Within this ‘festival’ context, Ps. 2 features in the “final stages of this drama” and is closely aligned to where Ps. 110 would feature. It appears to play out the post-battle monologue. [8]

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There are some, however, that argue well that it is used pre-battle. i.e. “before ritual combat.” [9]

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The Psalm combines the king and Yahweh in sovereign roles into an “entire unified sovereignty.” This is “projected in a highly imaginative, dramatic fashion.”

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The rites in enthroning the king, as shown by Ps. 2, were highly dramatic, ritualistic, seasonal (most likely at autumn festival), and reflected the influence of other culture (Egypt, Hittite, Mesopotamian) as well.

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Force is the key issue in the last part of the Psalm; ‘obey or else’ is the catchcry. It is only when the LORD is provoked with such utter defiance, that he responds this way.

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“The thesis of the psalm is that the… messiah, the son of God [has been given] the right and power to rule the world… by the sovereign of Heaven.” [10]

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Copyright © 2008, S.J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

ENDNOTES:
1. Combined commentary from Broyles, Mays and self.
2. Mays, J.L., Psalms – A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, (Interpretation Series, Miller, P.D., & Mays, J.L., eds., John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1994), p. 45.
3. Mays, J.L., Psalms – A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. p. 44.
4. Broyles, C.C., Psalms, (New International Biblical Commentary – Old Testament Series, Hubbard, R.L., & Johnston, R.K., eds., Hendrickson Publishers, Paternoster Press, Peabody, Massachusetts, 1999, 2002), p. 44.
5. Eaton, J.H., Kingship and the Psalms. (Studies in Biblical Theology 2/32; London: SCM, 1976), p. 111.
6. Mays, J.L., Psalms – A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. p. 44.
7. Eaton, J.H., Kingship and the Psalms. p. 111-12. Italics added.
8. Eaton, J.H., Kingship and the Psalms. p. 112.
9. Eaton, J.H., Kingship and the Psalms. p. 112. (See Bentzen (KM, pp. 16f.))
10. Mays, J.L., Psalms – A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. p. 45.