King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Complete Jewish Bible:
Why are the nations in an uproar, the peoples grumbling in vain?
Berean Standard Bible:
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
American Standard Version:
Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Why do the heathen{H1471} rage{H7283}, and the people{H3816} imagine{H1897} a vain thing{H7385}?
Cross-References (KJV):
Acts 4:25
- Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
Acts 4:26
- The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
Revelation 17:14
- ¶ These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful.
Psalms 46:6
- ¶ The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
Psalms 21:11
- For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, [which] they are not able [to perform].
Psalms 83:4
- They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from [being] a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
Psalms 83:8
- Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.
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Commentary for Psalms 2:1
Psalm 2:1 is the opening verse of a messianic and royal psalm that is traditionally attributed to King David. This psalm is part of a collection of poems and songs that express a wide range of emotions and teachings, from praise and thanksgiving to lament and wisdom. The verse reads, "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?"
In its historical context, this verse reflects the tumultuous political landscape of the ancient Near East, where the small kingdom of Israel was often surrounded by larger, hostile nations. The "heathen" or "nations" refers to the non-Israelite peoples who frequently threatened Israel's security and autonomy. Their "raging" symbolizes the futile attempts of these nations to overthrow the established order willed by God, who has set His king—a reference to the Davidic monarch—on Zion, His holy hill (as mentioned in the subsequent verses).
Thematically, Psalm 2:1 touches on the universal struggle between order and chaos, between God's sovereignty and human rebellion. The "vain thing" that the people imagine represents their efforts to oppose the divine will, which are ultimately destined to fail. This verse sets the stage for the rest of the psalm, which declares God's supremacy over the nations and His protection of His anointed king. It also prefigures the New Testament's application of this psalm to Jesus Christ, whom early Christians saw as the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant and the one who reigns over all earthly powers.
In a broader sense, this verse invites reflection on the human condition, questioning the purpose and outcome of rebellion against divine or moral authority. It challenges readers to consider the futility of resistance to God's ultimate plan for creation and redemption.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1471
There are 511 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גּוֹי
Transliteration: gôwy
Pronunciation: go'-ee
Description: rarely (shortened) גֹּי; apparently from the same root as גֵּוָה (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts; Gentile, heathen, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H7283
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָגַשׁ
Transliteration: râgash
Pronunciation: raw-gash'
Description: a primitive root; to be tumultuous; rage. - Strong's Number: H3816
There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לְאֹם
Transliteration: lᵉʼôm
Pronunciation: leh-ome'
Description: xlit lᵉôm corrected to lᵉʼôm; or לְאוֹם; from an unused root meaning to gather; a community; nation, people. - Strong's Number: H1897
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָגָה
Transliteration: hâgâh
Pronunciation: daw-gaw'
Description: a primitive root (compare הָגִיג); to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder; imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, [idiom] sore, speak, study, talk, utter. - Strong's Number: H7385
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רִיק
Transliteration: rîyq
Pronunciation: reek
Description: from רוּק; emptiness; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain; empty, to no purpose, (in) vain (thing), vanity.