Psalm 2:10

Psalm 2:10

Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

a. NLT: Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth!

b. NIV: Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.

c. Amplified Bible: Now therefore, O you kings, act wisely; be instructed and warned, O you rulers of the earth.

d. Septuagint: Now therefore understand, ye kings: be instructed, all ye that judge the earth.

e. Stone Edition Torah/Writings/Prophets: And now, O Kings, be wise; be disciplined, O judges of the earth.

1. “Be wise now therefore O ye kings…”

a. Be wise [Strong: 7919  sakal saw-kal' a primitive root; to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent:--consider, expert, instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent(-ly), (give) skill(-ful), have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand(-ing), wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise(- ly), guide wittingly.]

b. now [therefore] [Strong: 6258 `attah at-taw' from 6256; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive:--henceforth, now, straightway, this time, whereas.]

c. [O ye] kings [Strong: 4428 melek meh'-lek from 4427; a king:--king, royal.]

1). It is unmistakable what is being said here. The warning from verse 10 to 12 is said in light of what was said previously in the verses leading up to them. In Psalm 2:1-3 the nations want to sever all ties with the LORD and Christ. In Psalm 2:4, 5 He laughs at them and warns them in His wrath. In Psalm 2:6 He tells them that His King has already been set. In Psalm 2:7 Christ has come in his earthly ministry. In Psalm 2:8 the authority over all nations of the earth have been given to him and in Psalm 2:9 the consequences for their rebellion are revealed. Finally, the warning of what will happen to nations in this time period who will not serve him. In light of all that he says, “Be wise now therefore…” He is warning them, “Use your intelligence, don’t be stupid!”

2. “…be instructed, ye judges of the earth.”

a. [be] instructed [Strong: 3256 yacar yaw-sar'; a primitive root; to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct:--bind, chasten, chastise, correct, instruct, punish, reform, reprove, sore, teach.]

b. [ye] judges [Strong: 8199 shaphat shaw-fat'; a primitive root; to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively):--+ avenge, X that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), X needs, plead, reason, rule.]

1). The warning is to all the judges of the whole earth. Be instructed, Supreme Court Justices. Judges need to follow the example of Jehoshaphat when he appointed judges.

a). 2 Chronicles 19:4-7 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.

19:5 And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,

19:6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.

19:7 Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.

b). Isaiah 10:1 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed.

(1) [NLT] What sorrow awaits the unjust judges and those who issue unfair laws.

(2) [NIV] Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees,

(3) [NASB] Woe to those who enact evil statutes And to those who constantly record *unjust decisions,

(4) [YLT] Woe to those decreeing decrees of iniquity, And writers who have prescribed perverseness.

2). Roe v. Wade is an unrighteous decree. Lawrence v. Texas is an unrighteous decree. Roth v. U.S. is an unrighteous decree. Stone v. Graham is an unrighteous decree. I could go on.