Ask of me, and I shall give [thee] the heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth [for] thy possession.
Ask {H7592} of me, and I shall give {H5414} thee the heathen {H1471} for thine inheritance {H5159}, and the uttermost parts {H657} of the earth {H776} for thy possession {H272}.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance; the whole wide world will be your possession.
Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession.
Ask of me, and I will givetheethe nations for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
-
Psalms 22:27
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. -
Psalms 89:27
Also I will make him [my] firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. -
Psalms 72:8
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. -
John 17:4
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. -
John 17:5
And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. -
Daniel 7:13
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, [one] like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
Context
Psalm 2 is widely recognized as a messianic psalm, portraying the sovereign decree of God the Father concerning His anointed King. It opens with the nations raging against the Lord and His Anointed (Psalm 2:1-3), followed by God's response of scorn and His declaration of having set His King on Zion (Psalm 2:6). Verse 7 then records the divine proclamation: 'Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee' (Psalm 2:7). It is in this powerful context that God makes an astonishing offer to His Son in verse 8, promising universal dominion.
Key Themes
Messianic Prophecy
This verse is a direct prophecy regarding the Messiah, Jesus Christ. While it had a partial fulfillment in the reign of King David, its ultimate and complete fulfillment is in Christ's spiritual and future physical reign over all nations. It underscores the divine authority granted to God's chosen King.
Universal Dominion
The promise of "the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession" speaks to the boundless extent of the Messiah's kingdom. This is not merely a spiritual reign over believers but a future literal dominion over all earthly powers, as foretold in Daniel 7:14 and affirmed by Christ's post-resurrection declaration in Matthew 28:18.
Divine Grant
The phrase "Ask of me" highlights that this vast inheritance is a gift from God the Father to the Son. It signifies a divine decree and an unchallengeable right to rule, not earned by conquest but bestowed by the Creator of all.
Linguistic Insights
The word "heathen" (KJV) comes from the Hebrew word goyim (גּוֹיִם), which simply means 'nations' or 'peoples,' often referring to non-Israelite nations. Its use here emphasizes that God's plan extends beyond a single ethnic group to encompass all peoples of the earth. The term "inheritance" (נַחֲלָה, nachalah) denotes a possession or heritage, typically passed down. Here, it is divinely granted to the Son, signifying a rightful claim to universal sovereignty.
Practical Application
For believers, Psalms 2:8 offers immense hope and assurance. It affirms that Jesus Christ, our Lord, holds ultimate authority and will one day reign supreme over all creation. This truth empowers us to live confidently, knowing that His kingdom will ultimately prevail over all opposition (Revelation 11:15). It also reminds us of the Great Commission, as Christ's dominion includes all nations, urging us to participate in spreading the Gospel to the "uttermost parts of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
Reflection
Psalms 2:8 is a powerful declaration of God's sovereign plan for His Son, the Messiah. It paints a picture of a universal kingdom where Christ's reign is unchallenged and extends to every corner of the globe. This promise provides a solid foundation for understanding God's redemptive work and the future glory of His Son, inspiring worship and mission.