Psalm 2

Lines Scansion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NASB (with separation of the “center”in bold font)

1  Why are the nations in an uproar
And the peoples devising a vain thing?

2  The kings of the earth take their stand

And the rulers take counsel together

Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,

3  “Let us tear their fetters apart

And cast away their cords from us!”

4  He who sits in the heavens laughs,

The Lord scoffs at them.

5  Then He will speak to them in His anger

And terrify them in His fury, saying,

6  “But as for Me, I have installed My King

Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

 

7  “I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord:

He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,

Today I have begotten You.

 

8  ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.

9  ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,

You shall shatter them like earthenware.’ ”

10  Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;

Take warning, O judges of the earth.

11  Worship the Lord with reverence

And rejoice with trembling.

12  Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,

For His wrath may soon be kindled.

How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

 

Effect of the Metric Center on the Psalm’s Development

 

Verse 7 represents the metric center of this Royal and Messianic Psalm.  That this verse focuses the key element in the Sitz im Leben (life situation) of the Psalm is highlighted by Craigie (Psalms 1-50, 67):

 

The Davidic covenant was eternal, but all covenants were renewed from time to time; the principal form of renewal in the royal covenant took place in the coronation, when a new descendant of the Davidic dynasty ascended to the throne.  Thus, the divine words “you are my son” mark a renewal of the relationship between God and David’s house in the person of the newly crowned king.

 

Further support for center-focus may be found in the cohortative of resolve אסַפְּרָה (Waltke/O'Connor, Biblical Hebrew Syntax, 573, "I am determined to tell") setting the tone for what follows, the reference to the Davidic Covenant in, חֹק יהוה ("decree of the LORD"), and the preceding and following "envelope" references to divine wrath (verses 5 and 12). Finally, the NT authors recognized the Messianic significance of this verse: Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; 5:5.

Summary