There is nothing in this psalm which is not applicable to Christ,
but some things which are not all applicable to David.
Threatenings denounced against the adversaries of Christ's kingdom,
ver. 1 - 6.
Promises made to Christ, ver. 7 - 9.
Counsel given to all, to submit to him, ver. 10 - 12.
2: The kings - Herod, and Pilate and others with or after
them. Earth - So called in way of contempt and to shew their
madness in opposing the God of heaven. Set - The word denotes the
combination of their counsels and forces. Anointed - Against the king
whom God hath chosen and exalted.
3: And cast - The same thing expressed with more emphasis. Let us
not only break off their yoke and the cords by which it is fastened
upon us, but let us cast them far away.
4: Sitteth - As the king of the whole world. Heavens - As an
evidence both of God's clear and certain knowledge of all things
that are done below, and of his sovereign and irresistible power.
Laugh - Shall despise them and all their crafty devices.
6: Yet - Notwithstanding all their artifices and combinations.
My king - Who ruleth in my stead, and according to my will, and for
my glory. Zion - Over my church and people. Zion strictly taken,
was an hill on the north part of Jerusalem, where there was a strong
fort, called the city of David, but in a more large sense it is put
for the city of Jerusalem, for the temple of Jerusalem, built
upon the hill of Moriah, which was either a part of mount Sion, or
adjoining to it; for the church of the Jews, and for the Christian
church.
7: The decree - The will and appointment of God concerning this.
My sin - Which tho' it may in some sort be said to, or of David, yet
much more properly belongs to Christ, who is commonly known by this
title both in the Old and New Testament, and to whom this title is
expressly appropriated by the holy ghost, who is the best interpreter
of his own words, (Ac 13:33,Heb 1:5).
This day - This may be understood either,
Of his eternal generation. This day, from all eternity, which
is well described by this day, because in eternity there is no
succession, no [yesterday,] no [tomorrow,] but it is all as one
continued day or moment without change or flux; or,
Of the manifestation of Christ's eternal son - ship in time; which
was done both in his birth and life, when his being the son of God
was demonstrated by the testimony of the angel, (Lu 1:32), and
of God the Father, (Mt 3:17,17:5), and by his own words and
works; and in his resurrection, which seems to be here mainly
intended, of which day this very place is expounded, (Ac 13:33).
When Christ was in a most solemn manner declared to be the son of
God with power, (Ro 1:4).
8: Earth - Not only the Jewish nation, but the whole world.
9: Them - Those that will not quietly submit to thee, shall be crushed
and destroyed by thee. This was in part fulfilled, when the Jews who
persisted in unbelief, were destroyed by the Romans power: And in the
destruction of the Pagan power, when the Christian religion came to be
established. But it will not be compleatly fulfilled, 'till all opposing
power and principality be put down.
10: Now - While you have time for repentance and submission.
11: Fear - With an awful sense of his great and glorious majesty.
Rejoice - Do not esteem his yoke your dishonour and grievance; but rejoice
in this inestimable grace and benefit. Trembling - This is added to warn
them of taking heed that they do not turn this grace of God into wantonness.
12: Kiss - In token of your subjection and adoration; whereof this
was a sign among the eastern nations. The son - The son of God.
Ye perish - Be taken out of the way by death or destruction.
Wrath - The least degree of his anger is terrible.
