There are 4 participants/characters in Psalm 2:
Profile List
| Nations
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| "Peoples" (v. 1)
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| "Ends of the earth" (v. 8)
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| Earthly kings & nations
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| Earthly kings
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| "Rulers" (v. 2)
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| "Kings" (v. 10)
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| "Earthly rulers" (v. 10)
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| YHWH
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| "The one enthroned in the heavens" (v. 4)
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| "The Lord" (v. 4)
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| YHWH & YHWH's king
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| King
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| "YHWH's anointed" (v. 2)
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| "YHWH's king" (v. 6)
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| "YHWH's son" (vv. 7, 12)
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| Those who take refuge in the king
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Profile Notes
- YHWH is the "Lord" (v. 4) over all the earth, "the one enthroned in the heavens" (v. 4a) as the highest king.
- YHWH, the heavenly king, does not rule over the nations directly. Rather, his rule is mediated by his anointed one (v. 2c), the king whom he placed as his image on Mt. Zion (v. 6), his only son and heir (vv. 7-9).
- The nations rightfully belong to the king, who rules over them like an emperor rules over the various domains in his empire. When Psalm 2 begins, however, the nations are "in an uproar" (v.1a), trying to throw off the shackles of YHWH and his anointed one (v. 3). Specifically, the earthly kings who rule the nations (vv. 2, 10) want to gain independence from YHWH and his king. Instead of being part of the king's empire and submitting to his rule, they want to govern themselves.
- Those who take refuge in the king are those who have gladly submitted to his rule and, therefore, will experience all of the benefits of living under a good king: peace, justice, and prosperity.