Psalm Overview
Word-Level Semantics
Several of the key words in Psalm 2 along with other words that may be difficult to understand are highlighted in the translation below. Click on one of these words to learn more about its meaning. For words not discussed below, visit the Semantic Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew.
- Key words: bold
- Difficult words: underlined
v. 1
| 1a |
Why have nations thronged,
|
| 1b |
and (why do) peoples mutter emptiness?
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v. 2
| 2a |
Kings of earth are standing, and rulers have conspired together
|
| 2b |
against YHWH and against his anointed one.
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v. 3
| 3a |
“Let us tear off their bonds,
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| 3b |
and let us throw their ropes from us.”
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v. 4
| 4a |
The one enthroned in the heavens laughs.
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| 4b |
The Lord mocks them.
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v. 5
| 5a |
Then he speaks to them in his wrath,
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| 5b |
and he dismays them with his anger.
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v. 6
| 6a |
“But I have cast my king (as my image)
|
| 6b |
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
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- Cast... (as my image). In Biblical Hebrew, the verb נסך almost always means to “pour out.” In the qal stem, it can refer to the pouring out of libations (Ex. 30:9 [patient: נֵסֶךְ]; Isa. 30:1 [patient: מַסֵּכָה]; Hos. 9:4 [patient: יַיִן]) or to the casting of metal (Isa. 40:19 [patient: פֶּסֶל]; 44:10 [patient: פֶּסֶל]).[1] Since ancient times, translators have struggled with this concept; what would it mean for YHWH to "pour out" his king on mount Zion? As noted above, the verb נסך may refer to the act of pouring out liquid metal into a mold in order to fashion an image/idol (e.g. Isa. 40:19; 44:10). In the Ancient Near East, the king was said to be a living "image" of God, since he resembled God's character and functioned as his earthly representative. Thus, in Psalm 2:6, YHWH declares to the rebellious nations that he has forged his king as his image.
v. 7
| 7a |
Let me recount the decree.
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| 7b |
YHWH said to me, "You are my son.
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| 7c |
I have become your father today.
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v. 8
| 8a |
Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance
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| 8b |
and the ends of the earth your property.
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v. 9
| 9a |
You will crush them with an iron sceptre.
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| 9b |
You will smash them like a potter’s vessel."
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v. 10
v. 11
| 11a |
Serve YHWH with fear
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| 11b |
and rejoice with trembling.
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v. 12
| 12a |
Kiss the son, lest he become angry and you perish in your conduct,
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| 12b |
for his anger rages easily.
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| 12c |
Happy are all who take refuge in him.
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Phrase-Level Semantics
Sentence-Level Semantics
For semantics at the level of the sentence and above, see Psalm 2 Story behind the Psalm.
Verbal Semantics
References
