Psalms 2:8

8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

Psalms 2:8 in Other Translations

KJV
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
ESV
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.
NLT
8 Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession.
MSG
8 What do you want? Name it: Nations as a present? continents as a prize?
CSB
8 Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

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 “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”
7 I will proclaim the LORD’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.
8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron ; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Revelation 2:26
  • 2. S Job 22:26; Matthew 21:38
  • 3. Psalms 22:27; Psalms 67:7
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