Psalm 2:10
ESV
Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.
NIV
Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.
NASB
Now then, you kings, use insight; Let yourselves be instructed, you judges of the earth.
CSB
So now, kings, be wise; receive instruction, you judges of the earth.
NLT
Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
KJV
Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
NKJV
Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
What does Psalm 2:10 mean?
The psalmist, David (Acts 4:25), advises the kings to be wise, and he issues a warning to the rulers. It is unwise to oppose God considering His ability to execute His wrath on all who refuse to be warned. The idea of opposing God and defying His truth is laughable (Psalm 2:1–6). Those who oppose God and His Anointed One will face utter destruction (Psalm 2:7–9).Even without the return of Messiah to rule the world (Revelation 19:11; 20:4), there are biblical examples of God humiliating those who arrogantly defy Him. Two Babylonian kings learned firsthand that God is not to be trifled with. In a display of his inflated ego, King Nebuchadnezzar erected a 90-foot-tall golden image on the plain of Dura. He commanded everyone to fall down at the sound of music and worship the image (Daniel 3:1–7). Later, he boasted about Babylon as a great city that he had built (Daniel 4:30). Such egotistical idolatry incurred God's wrath. God humbled Nebuchadnezzar by driving him from men to eat grass like an ox for seven years (Daniel 4:33–37). Sometime later, Nebuchadnezzar's grandson Belshazzar was King of Babylon, and he, too, was proud and idolatrous (Daniel 5:1–4). God responded to Belshazzar's wickedness by allowing the Medes and Persians to kill him and seize his kingdom (Daniel 5:30–31).
Acts 12:20–23 records the surprising death of Herod Agrippa I, another proud king who refused to honor God. When King Herod attired himself, sat on his throne, and received the worship of his subjects, immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he died of a worm infestation.
Psalm 2:10–12 closes the song by urging kings and rulers of the earth to make a wise decision. The psalmist counsels them to change their rebellious attitude and come to friendly terms with the Lord's anointed Son. Doing so will avert the Son's anger and avoid eternal punishment. Also, coming to friendly terms with God's Son will provide refuge and blessing. This conveys a message like that of John the Baptist. He urged everyone in Israel to repent in preparation for the arrival of Messiah and His kingdom (Matthew 3:1–3; John 1:8). Jesus invited those who heard Him to repent and believe on Him (Matthew 4:17; 11:28; Luke 5:32; 13:3, 34). He said no one can enter the kingdom without being born again (John 3:3). The apostles Peter and Paul, too, urged those who heard them preach to turn to Jesus for forgiveness (Acts 2:38–39; 17:30–31; Romans 10:1–13).
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.
