What does Psalm 2:7 mean?
ESV: I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you.
NIV: I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, "You are my son; today I have become your father.
NASB: 'I will announce the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have fathered You.
CSB: I will declare the Lord’s decree. He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father.
NLT: The king proclaims the Lord’s decree: 'The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father.
KJV: I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
NKJV: “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.
Verse Commentary:
The psalmist, David (Acts 4:25), refers to God's mention of the king's right to rule. He recalls the covenant God made with him. This is a permanent decree authorizing Davidic rule. Second Samuel 7:13 provides God's promise at the time of David's coronation. God promised: "He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." This statement connects the idea of the promised Messiah being referred to as a "Son" of God.

Further, God referred to his relationship with David's promised descendant—the One with a "kingdom forever" as a father-son relationship. He said, "I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son" (2 Samuel 7:13–14). The covenant relationship between God and King David finds a greater fulfillment in the relationship of Father-Son that exists between God and His Son, the Messiah. John 3:16 emphasizes this relationship by stating, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son…"
Verse Context:
Psalm 2:7–9 records the words of God's Son, Israel's future King. They appropriately follow God's promise to establish His Son on the throne of David, and to deal with rebellious nations in His wrath and fury. Faced with King Jesus' victory over His foes, the psalmist's counsel to the rebels follows in verses 10–12. Revelation 19:11–15 describes the King's outpouring of God's wrath and fury on the rebel nations during the end times.
Chapter Summary:
Psalm 2, written by King David (Acts 4:25), begins by questioning the nations' frenzied attempt to overthrow the Lord and His anointed King, Jesus. Godless cultures plot to rid themselves of divine authority. But trying to escape God's will is ridiculous. He will direct His wrath toward them and asserts He has established His King upon Mount Zion. God addresses His Son as His only begotten. This passage predicts the anointed King—the Messiah—will smash the rebellious nations to pieces with an iron rod. The psalmist urges the kings and rulers of the earth to submit to the Son's rule and come to friendly terms with Him. The psalm closes with the declaration that all who take refuge in the Lord's anointed King are blessed.
Chapter Context:
Psalm 2 is often labelled a royal psalm, because it refers to the King above all kings. This complements several other psalms: Psalms 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 89, 101, 110, 132, and 144. Acts 13:33 relates Psalm 2:7 to Jesus. Revelation 2:27, spoken by the risen Savior, relates Psalm 2:9 to His victory over the rebellious nations and His reign on earth. Revelation 19:19–21 describes when and how Jesus will defeat the nations that assemble to go to war against God's anointed Son.
Book Summary:
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
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