Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Psalms
Book: Psalms
Chapter: 2
Overview:
Threatenings against the enemies of
Christ's kingdom.
(1-6)
Promise to
Christ as the Head of this kingdom.
(7-9) Counsel to
all, to
Espouse its interests.
(10-12)
1-6 We are here told who would appear as adversaries to
Christ.
As this world is the kingdom of
Satan, unconverted men, of every
rank, party, and character, are stirred up
By him to oppose the
cause of
God. But the rulers of the
Earth generally have been
most active. The truths and precepts of Christianity are against
ambitious projects and worldly lusts. We are told what they aim
at in this opposition. They would break asunder the
Bands of
Conscience, and the cords of
God's
Commandments; they will not
receive, but cast them away as far as they can. These enemies
can show
No good cause for opposing
So just and holy a
government, which, if received
By all, would bring a
Heaven upon
Earth. They can
Hope for
No success in
So opposing
So powerful a
kingdom. The
Lord Jesus has all power both in
Heaven and in
Earth, and is Head over all things to the
Church,
notwithstanding the restless endeavours of his enemies.
Christ's
Throne is set up in his
Church, that is, in the hearts of all
believers.
7-9 The kingdom of the
Messiah is founded upon an eternal
decree of
God the
Father. This our
Lord Jesus often referred to,
as what he governed himself
By.
God hath said unto him, Thou art
my Son, and it becomes each of us to say to him, Thou art my
Lord, my Sovereign'. The Son, in asking the
Heathen for his
inheritance, desires their happiness in him;
So that he pleads
for them, ever lives to do
So, and is able to save to the
uttermost, and he shall have multitudes of willing, loyal
subjects, among them. Christians are the possession of the
Lord
Jesus; they are to him for a name and a praise.
God the
Father
gives them to him, when,
By his
Spirit and
Grace, he
Works upon
them to submit to the
Lord Jesus.
10-12 Whatever we rejoice in, in this world, it must always be
with trembling, because of the uncertainty of all things in it.
To welcome
Jesus Christ, and to submit to him, is our
Wisdom and
interest. Let him be very dear and precious;
Love him above all,
Love him in sincerity,
Love him much, as she did, to whom much
was forgiven, and, in token of it, kissed his feet, Lu 7:38.
And with a
Kiss of loyalty take this
Yoke upon you, and give up
yourselves to be governed
By his laws, disposed of
By his
Providence, and entirely devoted to his cause. Unbelief is a
Sin
against the remedy. It will be utter
Destruction to yourselves;
lest ye perish in the way of your sins, and from the way of your
vain hopes; lest your way perish, lest you prove to have missed
the way of happiness.
Christ is the way; take heed lest ye be
cut off from Him as your way to
God. They thought themselves in
the way; but neglecting
Christ, they perish from it. Blessed
will those be in the
Day of wrath, who,
By trusting in
Christ,
have made him their
Refuge.