1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
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.
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.
<html><b>Why have nations gathered</b> Our Sages (Ber. 7b) expounded the passage as referring to the King Messiah, but according to its apparent meaning, it is proper to interpret it as referring to David himself, as the matter is stated (II Sam. 5:17): “And the Philistines heard that they had anointed David as king over Israel, and all the Philistines went up to seek, etc.,” and they fell into his hands. Concerning them, he says, “Why have nations gathered,” and they all gathered. <b>and kingdoms think</b> vain things in their heart. <b>and kingdoms</b> Heb. ולאמים. Menachem interprets לאמים, אמות, and גוים as all closely related.</html>
<html><b>Kings of a land stand up and nobles take counsel, etc.</b> Heb. רוזנים, senors (seigneurs) in Old French, lords. <b>take counsel</b> Heb. נוסדו, an expression of counsel (סוד), furt konsilez in Old French (furent conseilles), they hold counsel (see below 55:15). And what is the counsel?…</html>
<html><b>Let us break their bands</b> Deronproms lor koyongles in Old French (as in Jer. 27:2). These are the bands with which the yoke is tied. <b>their cords</b> Heb. עבתימו, lor kordes (leur cordes) in Old French.</html>
<html><b>laughs…mocks…speaks</b> They are meant as the present tense.</html>
<html><b>Then He speaks to them</b> Heb. אלימו, like אליהם. And what is the speech?…</html>
<html><b>But I have enthroned My king</b> Why have you gathered together? I have appointed this one for Me to govern and to reign on Zion, My holy mount.</html>
<html><b>I will tell of the decree</b> Said David, “This is an established decree, and [one] that I have received to tell this and to make known.” <b>The Lord said to me</b> through Nathan, Gad, and Samuel. <b>You are My son</b> The head over Israel, who are called “My firstborn son.” And they will endure through you, as is stated concerning Abner (II Sam. 3:18): “for God said, etc., ‘By the hand of My bondsman David shall I deliver…Israel.’” And for their sake, you are before Me as a son because they are all dependent upon you. <b>this day have I</b> for I have enthroned you over them. <b>begotten you</b> to be called My son and to be beloved to Me as a son for their sake, as it is stated (II Sam. 7:14) concerning Solomon: “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to Me a son.” We find further concerning David (Ps. 89:27) “He shall call Me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’”</html>
<html><b>Request of Me</b> Pray to Me whenever you come to battle your enemies.</html>
<html><b>You shall break them</b> Heb. תרעם [like] תרוצצם. <b>with an iron rod</b> That is the sword. <b>you shall shatter them</b> Heb. תנפצם, you shall break them, and that is the expression of נפוץ throughout the Scriptures, a potsherd that is bro ken into fine pieces.</html>
<html><b>And now, [you] kings, be wise</b> The Jewish prophets are merciful people. They reprove the heathens to turn away from their evil, for the Holy One, blessed be He, extends His hand to the wicked and to the righteous.</html>
<html><b>and rejoice with quaking</b> When the quaking, about which it is written (Isa. 33:14): “Trembling seized the flatterers,” comes, you will rejoice and be happy if you have served the Lord.</html>
<html><b>Arm yourselves with purity</b> Arm yourselves with purity of the heart. Some explain נשקו as garnimont in Old French, equipping. (This is from the verb, garnir. Garnimont means to provide, as in Gen. 41:40). Menachem (p. 179) interprets it as an expression of desire, as (in Gen. 3:16): “Your longing (תשוקתך) shall be for your husband.” <b>lest He become angry</b> Heb. יאנף, lest He become angry. <b>and you perish in the way</b> Like the matter that is stated (above 1:16): “but the way of the wicked shall perish.” <b>for in a moment His wrath will be kindled</b> For in a short moment His wrath will suddenly be kindled against them, and at that time, the praises of all those who take refuge in Him will be discerned, the praises of all who take refuge in Him.</html>