Psalm 2 Semantics

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Psalm Overview


About the Semantics Layer

Semantics is the study of how language is used to represent meaning. The goal of semantic analysis for interpreting and translating the Bible is to understand the meaning of words and how they relate to each other in context. We want to understand what is implicit about word meaning – and thus assumed by the original audience – and make it explicit – and thus clear for us who are removed by time, language, and culture. The semantics layer is composed of three major branches: lexical semantics, phrase-level semantics and verbal semantics. (Click 'Expand' to the right for more information.)

Semantics Visuals for Psalm 2

Lexical and Phrase-level Semantics Diagram

(For more information, click "Phrase-level Legend" below.)

v. 1


  • The first verb of the psalm (רָגַשׁ) occurs only here in the Hebrew Bible, and so its meaning is unclear. There are two main options:
    • "assemble" (NJPS) >> "conspire" (NIV, NRSV; cf. CEV, GNT). So SDBH: "action by which a relatively large number of people form a group in order to pursue a common goal together."[1]
    • "rage" (KJV, ESV, CSB); also "are... angry" (NLT), "in turmoil" (REB), "in an uproar" (NASB)
The meaning "assemble" is based on an Aramaic cognate (רגשׁ aphel stem) that means "to gather together urgently."[2] But the Aramaic verb only has this meaning in the aphel (= hiphil) stem. In the basic stem (= qal), the Aramaic verb means "to rage, be upset."[3] The word רגשׁ (hithpael, niphal, and qal) occurs with this sense in some later Hebrew texts:
    • "against me the assembly of the wicked rages (תתרגש), and they roar (ויהמו) like stormy seas when their waves crash (בהרגש)" (1QHa col. 10, line 14. DJD vol. 40, p. 132, 142).
    • "when the waves and the breakers of the waters surge up (ויתרגשו) on high with their noisy roar (המון)" (1QHa col. 11, line 16-17. DJD vol. 40, p. 155).
    • "Lo, heaven and the highest heaven, the abyss and the earth, tremble (σαλευθήσονται = ירגשו?) at his visitation!" (Sirach 16:18, NRSV; cf. Ben Sira Ms A 16:18. which reads כרגשו—"when he rages")
Interestingly, in the first two of these passages, the "raging" wicked are likened to the tumultuous sea, an image which we find elsewhere in the Psalter (see esp. Ps 46). This would be a fitting image for the nations in Ps 2 as well.
Note that verbs for anger also occurs in the last verse of Ps 2 (יאנף...יבער אפו), thus forming an inclusio.
The use of an Aramaic word at the beginning of the psalm might be a deliberate rhetorical device: the psalm deals with events of international significance, so it makes use of the international language of Aramaic. (Note other Aramaisms in vv. 9, 12. Compare also the use of Aramaic in Dan 2-7 where the content also concerns international politics).
  • לְאֻמִּים is used especially in poetic texts.[4]
  • The verb הָגָה ("mutter" [SDBH]) has "the metonymic nuance 'devise, plan, plot' (see Ps 38:12; Prov 24:2)" (NET). In this context, the verb contributes further to the picture in the previous line of the nations as a noisy crowd, agitated like a tumultuous sea. Elsewhere, הגה can refer to a noisy inarticulate sound (cf. TDOT). E.g., "We all growl (נֶהֱמֶה) like bears; we moan mournfully (הָגֹה נֶהְגֶּה) like doves" (Isa 59:11, NIV). In Job 37:2, the noun הֶגֶה refers to "rumbling" of thunder (ESV, NIV, NET). Thus, with the verbs רגשׁ and הגה, Ps 2:1 gives an image of the nations like a gathering storm (cf. Ps 46).
  • "The noun רִיק (“emptiness”) may characterize their behavior as 'worthless, morally bankrupt' but more likely refers to the outcome of their plots (i.e., failure). As the rest of the psalm emphasizes, their rebellion will fail."[5]

v. 2

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 2]
    Fragment
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Subject
            ConstructChain <gloss="earthly kings">
              noun: מַלְכֵי kings
              noun: אֶרֶץ earth
          Predicate
            verb: יִתְיַצְּבוּ take a stand
            Adverbial
              adverb: לָמָּה why <status="elided">
            Adverbial <status="elided">
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: עַל against
                  Object
                    noun: יְהוָה YHWH
              Conjunction
                conjunction: וְ and
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: עַל against
                  Object
                    ConstructChain <gloss="his anointed one">
                      noun: מְשִׁיח anointed one
                      suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Clause
          Subject
            noun: רוֹזְנִים rulers
          Predicate
            verb: נוֹסְדוּ have gathered >> have conspired
            Adverbial
              adverb: לָמָּה why <status="elided">
            Adverbial
              adverb: יָחַד together
            Adverbial
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: עַל against
                  Object
                    noun: יְהוָה YHWH
              Conjunction
                conjunction: וְ and
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: עַל against
                  Object
                    ConstructChain <gloss="his anointed one">
                      noun: מְשִׁיח anointed
                      suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
    Fragment <status="alternative">
      particle: סֶלָה Selah <status="emendation">


  • "kings of earth >> earthly kings," i.e., "earthly kings in contrast to the heavenly king (v. 4)."[6]
  • The verb "stand" (יִתְיַצְּבוּ) can mean to "take one’s stand (firmly)" (HALOT) and, by metaphorical extension, "to resist" (HALOT; see e.g., Deut 7:2; Josh 1:5; Job 41:2; 1 Chron 20:6).
  • The same expression הִוָּסֵד יחד על occurs in Ps 31:14: "For I hear many whispering, 'Terror on every side!' They conspire against me (בְּהִוָּסְדָם יַחַד עָלַי) and plot to take my life" (Ps 31:14, NIV). In this passage, as in Ps 2, the verb probably means "get together" >> "conspire" (cf. HALOT; so REB and NASB ["conspire"]; LXX: "gather" [συνήχθησαν]). According to HALOT and Gesenius 2013, 471, this verb probably derives from the root יסד II (a by-form of סוד; cf. the nοun סוֹד which can refer both to a "group, gathering" of people and, by metaphorical extension, to a "plot" or "scheme" known only by that group [see SDBH]).
  • The preposition in the phrase "against (עַל) YHWH and against (עַל) his anointed one" is used in "the oppositional sense."[7] The repetition of the preposition עַל in v. 2c draws attention to the conflict.

v. 3

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 3]
    Fragment
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: נְנַתְּקָה let's tear off
            Object
              particle: אֶת
              Nominal
                ConstructChain <gloss="their bonds">
                  noun: מוֹסְרוֹתֵי bonds
                  suffix-pronoun: מוֹ them
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: נַשְׁלִיכָה let's throw
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: מִמֶּ away from
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: נּוּ us
            Object
              ConstructChain <gloss="their ropes">
                noun: עֲבֹתֵי ropes
                suffix-pronoun: מוֹ them


v. 4

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 4]
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          Nominal
          Clause
            Predicate
              verb-participle: יוֹשֵׁב one who sits >> one enthroned
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: בַּ in
                  Object
                    article: ה the <status="elided">
                    noun: שָּׁמַיִם heavens
        Predicate
          verb: יִשְׂחָק laughs
          Adverbial <status="elided">
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: לָ at
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: מוֹ them
    Fragment 
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: אֲדֹנָי the Lord
        Subject <status="alternative">
          noun: יְהוָה YHWH <status="alternative emendation">
        Predicate
          verb: יִלְעַג mocks
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="them">
              Preposition
                preposition: לָ at
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: מוֹ them


  • The verb ישׁב (lit.: "sit") can refer figuratively to "reigning" (i.e., sitting on a throne). It appears a number of times in the phrase ישׁב על כסא (Exod 11:5; 12:29; Deut 17:18; 1 Sam 1:9; 4:13; 1 Kgs 1:13, 17, 20) and can have a similar meaning even when the prepositional phrase (על כסא) is omitted (e.g., Isa 40:22; Zech 9:6). The verb probably has this meaning in this context, where YHWH "the one who reigns in heaven" is contrasted with the "kings of earth" (v. 2). So SDBH: "action by which humans or deities assume a position of leadership, as if sitting on an actual throne." Cf. NIV: "The One enthroned in heaven" (cf. NLT, CSB, CEV, GNT).
  • The lamed preposition in the phrase "laugh [at them (למו)]... mock them (למו)" indicates the entity negatively affected by the action,[8] the object of scorn and mockery (cf. Ps 22:8—יַלְעִגוּ לִי; Ps 37:13—יִשְׂחַק לוֹ).

v. 5

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 5]
    Fragment
      particle: אָז then
    Fragment
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: יְדַבֵּר he speaks
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: אֵלֵי to
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: מוֹ them
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְ in
                Object
                  ConstructChain <gloss="his anger">
                    noun: אַפּ anger
                    suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וּ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: יְבַהֲלֵ terrifies
            Object
              suffix-pronoun: מוֹ them
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בַ in
                Object
                  ConstructChain <gloss="his wrath">
                    noun: חֲרוֹנ wrath
                    suffix-pronoun: וֹ him


  • In regard to בַחֲרוֹנוֹ, it seems that "Since the object of this rage is almost always Israel (except Hab 3:8; Ps 18:8), and since the source of provocation often is 'transgression of the covenant' (Josh 7:1; 23:16; Judg 2:20) or 'pursuit of other gods' (Deut 6:14–15; 11:16–17; 31:16–17), ḥrh and ḥārôn seem to have a specialized use designating the legitimate rage of a suzerain against a disobedient vassal.'"[9]
  • The bet prepositions in the phrases "in his anger" and "in his wrath" indicate the mode of the actions.[10]

v. 6

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 6]
    Fragment
      Conjunction
        conjunction: וַ but
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: אֲנִי I
        Predicate
          verb: נָסַכְתִּי have poured out
          Object
            ConstructChain <gloss="my king">
              noun: מַלְכִּ king
              suffix-pronoun: י me
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: עַל on
              Object
                Apposition
                  noun: צִיּוֹן Zion
                  ConstructChain <gloss="my holy mountain">
                    noun: הַר mountain
                    ConstructChain
                      noun: קָדְשִׁ holiness
                      suffix-pronoun: י me


  • Poured out. 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]).[11] 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. For more information, see the Exegetical Issue The Meaning of נָסַכְתִּי in Ps 2:6.
  • "My king" indicates "the king who is mine, whom I made to be king" (Malbim: מלך שלי שהמלכתיו).
  • "On my mountain of holiness" >> "on my holy mountain" indicates the mountain that is devoted to me as holy (cf. Joel 4:17; Obad 16; Pss 3:5; 15:1; 43:3; 48:2; 99:9; Dan 9:16; etc.).

v. 7

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 7]
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: אֲסַפְּרָה I will tell
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: אֶל about
              Object
                noun: חֹק decree
              Object
                ConstructChain <status="alternative">
                  noun: חֹק decree
                  noun: יְהוָה YHWH
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: יְהוָה YHWH
        Predicate
          verb: אָמַר said
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: אֵלַ to
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: י me
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: אַתָּה you
        Predicate
          verb: are
          Complement
            ConstructChain <gloss="my son">
              noun: בְּנִ son
              suffix-pronoun: י me 
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: אֲנִי I
        Predicate
          verb: יְלִדְתִּי hereby father
          Object
            suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
          Adverbial <gloss="today">
            article: הַ the
            noun: יּוֹם day


  • The preposition אֶל modifying the verb of speaking ספּר indicates the topic of the discourse: "tell of the decree" (ESV, NJPS) or "tell about the decree" (cf. Gen 20:2—"And Abraham said of (אֶל) Sarah his wife, 'She is my sister'" [ESV]; cf. Isa 29:22; Ezek 21:33; Job 42:8. Similarly, with verbs of speaking, the preposition עַל can indicate "the focus of attention" (i.e., "about," "concerning").[12]
  • The word "decree" (חֹק) here refers to a "god-given" "prescription" or "rule" (HALOT), though "the emphasis is on the right and privilege that it brings about, rather than upon the call for its observance and obedience."[13] Specifically, in this context, "the ḥōq of Yahweh to the king appears to be the [covenantal] promise of sonship pronounced at the king’s enthronement,"[14] the “personal covenant document, renewing God’s covenant commitment to the dynasty of David.”[15] On the close relationship between "covenant" and "decree," see e.g., Ps 105:9-11 (ESV):
    • "He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying, 'To you I will give the land of Canaan as your portion for an inheritance.'"
    • As in Ps 105, so here in Ps 2: the covenant with David is "confirmed as a statue (חֹק)" to one of David's descendants.

v. 8

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 8]    
    Fragment
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: שְׁאַל ask
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: מִמֶּ of
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: נִּי me
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: אֶתְּנָה I will make
            Object
              noun: גוֹיִם nations
            Complement
              Nominal
                ConstructChain <gloss="your inheritance">
                  noun: נַחֲלָתֶ inheritance
                  suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וַ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: אֶתְּנָה I will make <status="elided">
            Object
              Nominal
                ConstructChain
                  noun: אַפְסֵי ends
                  noun: אָרֶץ earth
            Complement
              ConstructChain <gloss="your property">
                noun: אֲחֻזָּתְ property
                suffix-pronoun: ךָ you


  • The phrase "the ends of the earth" (part-divided whole) often refers to people (e.g., Pss 22:28; 67:8; 98:3) but here with the word אֲחֻזָּה ("property" or, more specifically, "landed property" [HALOT]) it probably refers to land (cf. Ps 72:8).

v. 9

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 9]
    Fragment
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: תְּרֹעֵ you will crush
            verb: תִּרְעֵ you will shepherd <status="alternative revocalization">
            Object
              suffix-pronoun: ם them
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְּ with
                Object
                  ConstructChain <gloss="an iron scepter">
                    noun: שֵׁבֶט scepter
                    noun: בַּרְזֶל iron
    Fragment
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: תְּנַפְּצֵ you will smash
            Object
              suffix-pronoun: ם them
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: כִּ like
                Object
                  ConstructChain <gloss="clay pottery">
                    noun: כְלִי vessel
                    verb-participle: יוֹצֵר potter


  • "Scepter of iron" >> "an iron scepter" (CSB), indicates a scepter made of iron.
  • "Vessels of a potter" >> "clay pottery" (cf. NIV, NLT, GNT).

v. 10

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 10]
    Fragment
      particle: וְעַתָּה and now
    Fragment
      Vocative
        noun: מְלָכִים kings
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: הַשְׂכִּילוּ wise up
    Fragment
      Vocative
        ConstructChain <gloss="earthly rulers">
          noun: שֹׁפְטֵי rulers
          noun: אָרֶץ earth
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: הִוָּסְרוּ accept discipline


  • "Rulers of earth" >> "earthly rulers" (see v. 2)
  • The verb הִוָּסְרוּ has been translated variously as "be warned" (NIV, ESV, NLT, NRSV), "be instructed" (KJV), "submit to correction" (NET), "learn this lesson" (GNT), and accept discipline" (NJPS). According to SDBH, the word means "literally: to be disciplined; hence: = action by which humans bring themselves to a position of submission before God, as a result of his disciplinary actions." This definition works well for all of the occurrences of this word (see Lev 26:18; Jer 6:8; 31:18; Prov 29:19). Cf. LXX: "be instructed" (παιδεύθητε).

v. 11

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v.11]
    Fragment
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: עִבְדוּ serve
            Object
              particle: אֶת 
              noun: יְהוָה YHWH
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְּ with
                Object
                  noun: יִרְאָה fear
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: גִילוּ rejoice
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בִּ with
                Object
                  noun: רְעָדָה trembling


  • To "serve" YHWH in this context is to submit to his authority, his lordship (cf. the word אדני in v. 4), and to embrace his "decree" (vv. 7-9). So SDBH: "action by which humans, either as individuals or as groups, assume a position of subservience towards a deity, perform the required rituals, and live in accordance with the requirements of that deity."
  • The bet prepositions in the phrases "with fear" and "with trembling" indicate the mode of the actions.[16]

v. 12

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 12]
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: נַשְּׁקוּ kiss
          Adverbial <status="alternative">
            Nominal
              adjective: בַר pure <status="alternative">
          Adverbial <status="alternative">
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: בְ <status="alternative emendation">
              Object
                ConstructChain
                  noun: רַגְלָי feet <status="alternative emendation">
                  suffix-pronoun: ו him <status="alternative emendation">
          Object
            noun: בַר son
            Nominal
              adjective: בַר pure <status="alternative">
        SubordinateClause
          Conjunction
            conjunction: פֶּן or else
          ClauseCluster
            Clause
              Predicate
                verb: יֶאֱנַף he will become angry
            Conjunction
              conjunction: וְ and
            Clause
              Predicate
                verb: תֹאבְדוּ you will perish
                Adverbial <gloss="in your way">
                  noun: דֶרֶךְ way
              SubordinateClause
                Conjunction
                  conjunction: כִּי for
                Clause
                  Subject
                    ConstructChain <gloss="his anger">
                      noun: אַפּ anger
                      suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
                  Predicate
                    verb: יִבְעַר ignites
                    Adverbial
                      PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="quickly">
                        Preposition
                          preposition: כִּ as
                        Object
                          noun: מְעַט little
    Fragment
      ConstructChain <gloss="Happy are all who take refuge in him">
        Nominal
          noun: אַשְׁרֵי happiness
        ConstructChain
          Nominal
            quantifier: כָּל all
          Nominal
            Clause
              Predicate
                verb-participle: חוֹסֵי those who take refuge
                Adverbial
                  PrepositionalPhrase
                    Preposition
                      preposition: ב in
                    Object
                      suffix-pronoun: וֹ him


  • For the verb "kiss," see the Venn diagram. The use of the piel (instead of the usual qal) probably implies repeated kissing (event-internal plurality).[17]
Nasheq - to kiss.jpg
  • Interestingly, the verb translated "become angry" in v. 12 is "almost exclusively used with God as the subject."[18] Psalm 2:12 is the only exception. The human king, as YHWH's image and son (vv. 6-7) has divine characteristics (cf. Pss 110, 111-112).
Psalm 002 - Anaf - become angry.jpg
  • The adverbial accusative "way" (דֶּרֶךְ) could be "in the way"[19] or "from the way."[20] The expression is probably synonymous with "the way of wicked people will come to an end."[21] Both expressions are figures of speech for death and destruction: "a person comes to an end on his way/life" = "a person's way/life comes to an end" = "a person dies." Thus, GNT: "you will suddenly die."
  • On the word "ignite" cf. Ps 79:5—תִּבְעַ֥ר כְּמֹו־אֵ֝֗שׁ קִנְאָתֶֽךָ. According to BDB, the verb means, "specifically begin to burn, be kindled." Hence, "ignite" (so CSB, NET).
  • The adverbial phrase כִּמְעַט is translated variously as "but a little" (KJV; cf. NJPS: "in the mere flash of his anger;" so DCH : "and you die along the way when his anger hardly blazes, i.e. at the very onset of his anger"), "easily" (cf. ELB, ZÜR [leicht]; so Jenni 1994, #94; SDBH), "quickly" (ESV, NRSV, GNT, NET, HFA, NGÜ, GNB, LXX trans. NETS [ἐν τάχει]; cf. NIV, NLT), "soon" (NASB; cf. CSB, LUT; cf. Rashi: כי ברגע מועט יבער אפוב עליכם פתאום). Thus we have the following three options (the second and third of the above translations resulting in the same meaning):
    • "when his wrath has only just been ignited" ( = his anger is extremely powerful)
    • "for/when his anger quickly/easily ignites" (= it does not take much for him to get angry, so tread lightly!)
    • "for his anger will soon ignite" (= the time of his wrath is immanent, so hurry and submit to him!)
The second of these options ("quickly/easily") seems the most likely, given the context and the use of the phrase elsewhere (e.g., Ps 81:15—"How quickly I would then subdue their enemies!" [NIV, cf. NLT]; Job 32:22—"otherwise, my Maker would remove me in an instant."[22] In spoken English, we might paraphrase: "'cause his anger ignites like that (snap fingers)." The clause is explaining why it is that they will perish in the way if they refuse to submit to the son; it is because his anger ignites quickly/easily. The clause is reminiscent of YHWHs' warning to Moses in Exod 33:3—"But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way (פֶּן אֲכֶלְךָ בַּדָּרֶךְ)" (Exod 33:3).
  • On "happiness," see notes on Ps 1:1.

Verbal Semantics Chart

(For more information, click "Verbal Legend" below.)

Psalm 2 Verbal Semantics Chart.jpg

Bibliography

Baethgen, Friedrich. 1904. Die Psalmen. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck und Ruprecht.
Craigie, Peter C. 1983. Psalms 1–50. WBC 19. Waco, TX: Word.
Gesenius, W. Donner, H. Rüterswörden, U. Renz, J. Meyer, R. (eds.). 2013. Hebräisches und aramäisches Handwörterbuch über das Alte Testament. 18. Auflage Gesamtausgabe. Berlin: Springer.
Herion, Gary A. 1992. “Wrath of God (OT).” In Anchor Bible Dictionary, edited by David Noel Freedman, 6:989–96. New York: Doubleday.
Jenni, Ernst. 1992. Die Hebräischen Präpositionen Band 1: Die Präposition Beth. Stuttgart: W. Kohlhammer.
___. 1994. Die Hebräischen Präpositionen Band 2: Die Präposition Kaph. Stuttgart: W. Kohlhammer.
___. 2000. Die hebräischen Präpositionen Band 3: Die Präposition Lamed. Stuttgart: Verlag W. Kohlhammer.
Jones, G H. 1965. “The Decree of Yahweh (Ps. II 7).” Vetus Testamentum 15 (3): 336–44.
Mena, Andrea K. 2012. “The Semantic Potential of עַל in Genesis, Psalms, and Chronicles.” MA Thesis, Stellenbosch University.
Penney, Jason. 2023. “A Typological Examination of Pluractionality in the Biblical Hebrew Piel.” MA, Dallas: Dallas International University.
Victor, Peddi. 1966. “Note on Choq in the Old Testament.” Vetus Testamentum 16 (3): 358–61.

References

  1. ↑ SDBH; cf. Rashi: למה רגשו ונתקבצו גוים; Ibn Ezra: התחברו.
  2. ↑ CAL; see Dan 6:7, 12, 16; cf. the noun רֶגֶשׁ [="assembly"] in Ps 55:15.
  3. ↑ See CAL; see esp. the use of the word in the Proverbs of Ahiqar: "[Then Esarhaddon, King of Assyria] will be abundantly (= very) agitated [ירגש] (when) words he hears..." TAD C1.1.29), and this is the more likely meaning of the word in Ps 2:1 (so HALOT; Gesenius 2013, 1220; cf. Aquila: ἐθoρύβησαν "make an uproar;" Jerome iuxta Hebr.: turbabuntur "be disturbed, agitated."
  4. ↑ BDB.
  5. ↑ NET notes.
  6. ↑ Baethgen 1904, 5; cf. Ibn Ezra; cf. the same phrase in Pss 76:13; 89:28; 138:4; 148:11.
  7. ↑ Mena 2012, §5.4.6; cf. 2 Chr 26:18—"and they stood against [עַל] Uzziah".
  8. ↑ Cf. Jenni 2000, #5521.
  9. ↑ Herion 1992.
  10. ↑ (see BHRG §39.6(4); Jenni 1992, #423, #445.
  11. ↑ BDB.
  12. ↑ Mena 2012, §5.4.11; e.g., 1 Chr 17:17—וַתְּדַבֵּ֥ר עַל־בֵּֽית־עַבְדְּךָ֖.
  13. ↑ Victor 1966, 361.
  14. ↑ TDOT
  15. ↑ Craigie 1983, 67; cf. Jones 1965, 336-44.
  16. ↑ (see BHRG §39.6(4); Jenni 1992, #423, #445.
  17. ↑ cf. Penney 2023; TDOT "piel, 'to kiss long and much'".
  18. ↑ SDBH, see e.g., 1 Kgs 8:46; Isa 12:1; Pss 60:3; 79:5; 85:6; Ezra 9:14; 2 Chron 6:36.
  19. ↑ ESV; cf. CSB: "in your rebellion;" REB: "in middle course;" NLT: "in the midst of all your activities;" so R. Sforno: כ׳דרך׳ שהוא עושה כאשר ׳יבער כמעט אפו׳.
  20. ↑ KJV; cf. LXX trans. NETS: "and you will perish from [ἐξ] the righteous way."
  21. ↑ Ps 1:6; so Radak, Rashi.
  22. ↑ CSB; so LXX: ἐν τάχει; Jenni 1994, #94; BDB.
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