Psalms 2:8

8 Ask, and I will give you all the nations; the whole earth will be yours.

Psalms 2:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 2:8

Ask of me
Jehovah is either here again introduced speaking, or these words are a continuation of the Son's account of what his Father said unto him; which do not suppose any superiority in the one, or inferiority in the other; but are only expressive of the Father's great respect and affection for his Son, as such a way of speaking among men shows, ( Esther 5:3 ) ( Matthew 14:7 ) ; and of the great interest the Son had in his Father, who could ask nothing but he had it; and shows the perfect harmony, agreement, and unity between them: see ( 1 Kings 3:5 ) ; Christ, in the council and covenant of grace and peace, asked many things of his Father, which were granted; he asked for the persons of all the elect to be his bride and spouse, and his heart's desire was given him, and the request of his lips was not withheld from him: he asked for all the blessings of grace for them; for spiritual life here, and eternal life hereafter; and all were given him, and put into his hands for them, ( Psalms 20:2-4 ) ; and here it is promised him,

and I shall give [thee] the Heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the
uttermost parts of the earth [for] thy possession;
by "the Heathen", and "the uttermost parts of the earth", are meant God's elect among the Gentiles, and who live in the distant parts of the world; which are Christ's other sheep, the Father has given to him as his portion, and whom he has made his care and charge: as if it was not enough that he should be King of Zion, or have the government over his chosen ones among the Jews, he commits into his hands the Gentiles also; see ( Isaiah 49:6 ) ; and these are given him as his inheritance and possession, as his portion, to be enjoyed by him; and who esteems them as such, and reckons them a goodly heritage, and a peculiar treasure, his jewels, and the apple of his eye. 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.

Psalms 2:8 In-Context

6 "On Zion, my sacred hill," he says, "I have installed my king."
7 "I will announce," says the king, "what the Lord has declared. He said to me: "You are my son; today I have become your father.
8 Ask, and I will give you all the nations; the whole earth will be yours.
9 You will break them with an iron rod; you will shatter them in pieces like a clay pot.' "
10 Now listen to this warning, you kings; learn this lesson, you rulers of the world:
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.