Psalm 2 (Post 5)
Psalm 2 Structure and Classification -royal psalm: perhaps used at enthronement celebrations of new kings -the “happy” or “blessed” of v.12 ties back to the “happy” or “blessed” of 1:1 tying the two psalms together as introductory to the whole psalter. The themes of Torah and Throne/Temple cover the chief emphases of the psalms. “One Jewish tradition treated Pss.1 and 2 as one psalm, and this reflects a number of points of connection between the two. Psalm 2 opens with an ironic link. Whereas people of insight talk about Yhwh’s teaching (1:2), nations and peoples also talk something -emptiness (2:1). It closes with another link. Whereas Ps.1 ends with the prospect of the path of the wicked perishing, 2:12 envisages nations perishing as regards the path. Whereas the opening of Ps.1 comments on the good fortune of people who walk in the right way, Ps.2 closes with a comment on the good fortune of everyone who relies on Yhwh. That declaration thus forms a bracket round the...