Psalms 2:1
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Psalms 2:1 in other translations
| BSB | Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? |
|---|---|
| WEB | Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? |
| ASV | Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing? |
| YLT | Why have nations tumultuously assembled? And do peoples meditate vanity? |
| DARBY | Why are the nations in tumultuous agitation, and why do the peoples meditate a vain thing? |
| BBE | Why are the nations so violently moved, and why are the thoughts of the people so foolish? |
| Webster | Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? |
What does Psalms 2:1 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Psa 2:1-12. The number and authorship of this Psalm are stated (Ac 4:25; 13:33). Though the warlike events of David's reign may have suggested its imagery, the scenes depicted and the subjects presented can only find a fulfilment in the history and character of Jesus Christ, to which, as above cited and in He 1:5; 5:5, the New Testament writers most distinctly testify. In a most animated and highly poetical style, the writer, in "four stanzas of three verses each," sets forth the inveterate and furious, though futile, hostility of men to God and His anointed, God's determination to carry out His purpose, that purpose as stated more fully by His Son, the establishment of the Mediatorial kingdom, and the imminent danger of all who resist, as well as the blessing of all who welcome this mighty and triumphant king.
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.Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Introduction
This Psalm treats of the opposition raised, both by Jew and Gentile, against the kingdom of Christ, Psa 2:1-3. Christ's victory, and the confusion of his enemies, Psa 2:4-6. The promulgation of the Gospel after his resurrection, Psa 2:7-9. A call to all the potentates and judges of the earth to accept it, because of the destruction that shall fall on those who reject it, Psa 2:10-12. Verse 1 Why do the heathen rage - It has been supposed that David composed this Psalm after he had taken Jerusalem from the Jebusites, and made it the head of the kingdom; 2Sam 5:7-9. The Philistines, hearing this, encamped in the valley of Rephaim, nigh to Jerusalem, and Josephus, Antiq. lib. 7: c. 4, says that all Syria, Phoenicia, and the other circumjacent warlike people, united their armies to those of the Philistines, in order to destroy David before he had strengthened himself in the kingdom. David, having consulted the Lord, 2Sam 5:17-19, gave them battle, and totally overthrew the whole of his enemies. In the first place, therefore, we may suppose that this Psalm was written to celebrate the taking of Jerusalem, and the overthrow of all the kings and chiefs of the neighboring nations. In the second place we find from the use made of this Psalm by the apostles, Act 4:27, that David typified Jesus Christ; and that the Psalm celebrates the victories of the Gospel over the Philistine Jews, and all the confederate power of the heathen governors of the Roman empire. The heathen, גוים goyim, the nations; those who are commonly called the Gentiles. Rage, רגשו rageshu, the gnashing of teeth, and tumultuously rushing together, of those indignant and cruel people, are well expressed by the sound as well as the meaning of the original word. A vain thing. Vain indeed to prevent the spread of the Gospel in the world. To prevent Jesus Christ, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, from having the empire of his own earth. So vain were their endeavors that every effort only tended to open and enlarge the way for the all-conquering sway of the scepter of righteousness.Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 2:1-6
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
Psalms 2:1 in the original Hebrew
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Psalms 2:1
- Acts 4:25-26
Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
- Revelation 17:14
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
- Psalms 46:6
The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
- Psalms 21:11
For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.
- Psalms 83:4-8
They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; …
- Matthew 21:38
But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
- Acts 17:5-6
But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
- Luke 22:22-23
And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
- Isaiah 8:9
Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.
- Psalms 18:42
Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.
- Luke 18:32
For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
- Acts 5:33
When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
10 Kings are exhorted to accept it.
A.M. 2963. B.C. 1042. Why.
18:42; 46:6; 83:4-8; Isa 8:9; Lu 18:32; Ac 4:25
rage. or, tumultuously assemble.
Lu 22:1,2,5,22,23; Ac 16:22; 17:5,6; 19:28-32
people.
Mt 21:38; Joh 11:49,50; Ac 5:33; Re 17:14
imagine. Heb. meditate.
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Psalms 2:1
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
- Psalms 2:2
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,
Psalms 2:1 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | ¿POR qué se amotinan las gentes, y los pueblos piensan vanidad? |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Pourquoi s’agitent les nations, et les peuples méditent-ils la vanité? |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Warum toben die Nationen und sinnen Eitles die Völkerschaften? |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Quare fremuerunt gentes, et populi meditati sunt inania? |