Psalm 2 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on Psalm 2 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

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King James Version

SAB comment

My comment


1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

"Why have the nations raged?"
(Unknown, 12th Century)

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

(2:8-9) If you ask God, he'll force heathens to be your slaves and help you "dash them in pieces."
Holy War and the Holy Father: the Bible vs the Quran
The author of the SAB has completely misunderstood this verse. It is not about slaying the heathen, but it is a promise that the heather would also share in the knowledge of God which, at the time of this Psalm, was mainly confined to the Jews. It's a prophesy about how the gospel will spread in New Testament times. And it didn't spread by the sword. Although it spread by blood, the blood of those who were thrown before the wild beasts because of their faith. Christianity should never ever be brought with the sword, Matthew 26:52. As John Gill says:

These words respect the calling of the Gentiles under the Gospel dispensation; and the amplitude of Christ's kingdom in all the earth, which shall be from sea to sea, and from the rivers to the ends of the earth.

9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Kiss the Son or God will get angry and might have to kill you.
At the end of times Jesus will return, but no longer as a savior, but to judge this world. Those who have not believed God who said he was his son, and rejected and despised him, are called upon in this verse to believe, before that time comes.

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