Psalm 2:10-12 - John Stevens

[from Help for the Disciples of Emmanuel]

Psalm 2:12 - William Styles

Psa. 2:12, “Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way.” (Or “Do obeisance to the Son.”—B.W. Newton. Compare Hos. 13:2.) Ordinarily regarded as an exhortation to sinners to yield to the gracious influence of the Spirit, and be reconciled to Christ, lest He be angry at their despising Him and rejecting His offers, and consign them to hell for their impenitence and unbelief.

An examination of the context shows that such an interpretation is incorrect. Christ is “King of kings,” and it is here demanded that kings and judges who receive their thrones under His authority should acknowledge His supremacy.” To kiss a monarch’s hand is a worldwide token of homage, and well would it be for mankind if all in high places were actuated by the principles of Christ’s book, and acted in the way which He commands. A reason is given for the wisdom commanded. “Be wise, therefore” (see Deut. 16:18-20) “lest He be angry ,and ye perish from the way”—that is, be deposed, degraded, and end your now brilliant course in disgrace and sorrow. Zedekiah (2 Chorn. 36); and Jehoiakim (2 Kings 24); and Herod (Acts 12:21-23) Louis XVI of France, and the Napoleon family, are cases in point.

The Psalm had special applicability immediately after the Ascension and Enthronement of Jesus, and before the dispersion of the Jewish nation (Acts 4:25, 26). Even then their rulers might have owned His royal rights, of which such convincing proofs had been given by the miraculous operations of the Holy Spirit (pages 97 and 119). But they would not be wise. They were not instructed. His wrath was kindled, and they and their people perished from the way.

Thus by kissing the Son, serving and fearing the Lord, etc., spiritual actions are not intended. Natural and national homage only is enjoined, and temporal and providential blessings are promised.

Thus, then, the passage is addressed to kings and magistrates, and there is no analogy between their official standing, and the condition of a man dead in trespasses and sins, or even a regenerated and awakened inquirer seeking information concerning salvation. We are never enjoined to call upon unregenerate sinners as kings and judges.

The doctrine that Christ is enraged with sinners for not coming to Him, and that their damnation will be augmented on this account is therefore unsupported by this passage. The words run, “Kiss the Son, lest He be angry.” The Law says, “God is angry with the wicked”—that “the wrath of God abideth” on them. They are “condemned already,” and it is mischievous to evade the declaration of the Law when advancing the doctrines of the Gospel.

Psalm 2:12 - William Button

Psa. 2:12. "Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way..."

Psa. 2:12. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way (p. 37). I fully acquiesce in the declaration of this psalm’s having respect to the Messiah, and that these words relate to the enemies of Christ, and unregenerate sinners. But that this “kissing the Son denotes a spiritual act, and is of the very essence of true saving faith,” as Mr. F. asserts (p. 38), is what I can by no means allow. Kissing denotes sometimes nothing more than civil homage and subjection, as in 1 Sam. 10:1, where we are told Samuel anointed Saul and kissed him, which was not, I presume, a spiritual act, but nothing more than a token of allegiance and loyalty, and expressive of reverence and respect, because of the high office he was advanced unto; and “it is the custom of the Indians to this day for the subjects to kiss their kings” (Dr. Gill’s Expos. on Psal. 2:12); now this was certainly the duty of kings and judges, and all wheresoever this glorious Messiah, the Son of God came, to reverence and respect him, to express their firm belief of his being that great Personage, so long prophesied of and expected, who gave such an undeniable evidence of his being so; who had divine authority stamped in very legible characters upon him; and if they refused to acknowledge him it should issue in their destruction.—Mr. F. seems to build much on the latter part of the verse, “Blessed are all they that put their trust in him,” and says, “now putting their trust in him, and kissing him seem nearly akin, both having the promise of bliss annexed” (p. 39). This seems to me very far from being just; kissing the son and trusting him are widely different. The one is an incumbent duty, the other a peculiar privilege and blessing. The easy and natural sense of the words seems to be this, Kiss the Son, reverence him, respect and worship him; this is your duty, for he is my Son, he is the great Messiah; the glorious king I have long promised: I have sealed him, this you may easily perceive, and if ye refuse to acknowledge him, ye shall perish in your sinful ways. Then after the duty of men in general is pointed out, as a matter very distinct comes in the next words, as words of great encouragement to those whose peculiar privilege it is to venture their souls on him; who not only acknowledge and reverence him as the Messiah, but also believe in him for pardon, peace, righteousness and eternal life, as the only saviour of sinners, these are blessed, yea, “Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”