The Meaning of Psalms 2:12 Explained

Psalms 2:12

KJV: Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

YLT: Kiss the Chosen One, lest He be angry, And ye lose the way, When His anger burneth but a little, O the happiness of all trusting in Him!

Darby: Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, though his anger burn but a little. Blessed are all who have their trust in him.

ASV: Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, For his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they that take refuge in him.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Kiss  the Son,  lest he be angry,  and ye perish  [from] the way,  when his wrath  is kindled  but a little.  Blessed  [are] all they that put their trust  in him. 

What does Psalms 2:12 Mean?

Study Notes

trust
Trust is the characteristic O.T. word for the N.T. "faith," "believe." It occurs 152 times in the O.T., and is the rendering of Heb. words signifying to take refuge (e.g. Ruth 2:12 "to lean on" (e.g.) Psalms 56:3 "to roll on" (e.g.) Psalms 22:8 "to stay upon" (e.g.) Job 35:14 .

Verse Meaning

The Apostle Peter saw in the opposition of Israel"s leaders to Jesus a parallel with the refusal of the nations" leaders in David"s day to submit to David"s authority ( Acts 2:22-36). The writer to the Hebrews also saw a fulfillment of the coronation of God"s "son" in Jesus" resurrection and ascension ( Hebrews 1:5; cf. Hebrews 5:5). By that exaltation, Paul wrote, Jesus was declared to be the Son of God (cf. Romans 1:4). In another eternal sense, of course, Jesus was always God"s Son ( Matthew 3:17; Matthew 17:5; 2 Peter 1:17). When God instructs His Son to ask for His inheritance, He will then bring Jesus back into the world (i.e, back to earth; Hebrews 1:6). Then the Anointed One will smash His enemies and rule over them with absolute control (cf. Revelation 19:11-21), but those who submit to Him will experience His protection and great joy (cf. Revelation 20:1-7).
"The2nd Psalm gives the order of the establishment of the kingdom. It is in six parts: (1) The rage and the vain imagination of the Jews and Gentiles against the LORD and His Anointed ( Psalm 2:1-3). The inspired interpretation of this is in Acts 4:25-28, which asserts its fulfillment in the crucifixion of Christ. (2) The derision of the LORD ( Psalm 2:4), that men should suppose it possible to set aside His covenant ( 2 Samuel 7:8-17) and oath ( Psalm 89:34-37). (3) The vexation ( Psalm 2:5) fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem, A.D70 , and the dispersion of the Jews at that time; yet to be fulfilled more completely in the tribulation ( Matthew 24:29 [1]) which immediately precedes the return of the King ( Matthew 24:30). (4) The establishment of the rejected King upon Zion ( Psalm 2:6). (5) The subjection of the earth to the King"s rule ( Psalm 2:7-9). And (6) the present appeal to the world powers ( Psalm 2:10-12)." [2]

Context Summary

Psalm 2:1-12 - God's Son Upon His Throne
This is one of the sublimest of the Psalms, and can find its fulfillment only in our Lord. See Acts 4:25; Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; Hebrews 5:5; Revelation 2:27. The mold in which the psalm is cast is highly dramatic.
The determined hate of the peoples, Psalms 2:1-3
Rage conveys the idea of gesticulations and cries of frenzy. For Psalms 2:2, see Luke 23:12-13; Acts 4:25-26.
The divine tranquillity, Psalms 2:4-6
The scene shifts to heaven. In spite of all, the eternal purpose moves on. I have set-that is, "anointed." "Messiah" and "Christ" alike mean anointed, Acts 10:38.
The manifesto of Messiah, Psalms 2:7-9
Before time began He was the only begotten Son of God, John 17:5. But His sonship was declared at His resurrection, Acts 13:30-37. The world is His, to be won by the Cross and intercession.
Overtures of peace, Psalms 2:12
Kiss, 1 Samuel 10:1. This psalm closes as the first began, "Oh, the blessedness!" [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 2

1  The kingdom of Christ
10  Kings are exhorted to accept it

What do the individual words in Psalms 2:12 mean?

Kiss the Son lest He be angry and you perish [in] the way when is kindled but a little His wrath Blessed [are] all those who put their trust in Him
נַשְּׁקוּ־ בַ֡ר פֶּן־ יֶאֱנַ֤ף ׀ וְתֹ֬אבְדוּ דֶ֗רֶךְ כִּֽי־ יִבְעַ֣ר כִּמְעַ֣ט אַפּ֑וֹ אַ֝שְׁרֵ֗י כָּל־ ח֥וֹסֵי בֽוֹ

נַשְּׁקוּ־  Kiss 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: נָשַׁק 
Sense: to put together, kiss.
בַ֡ר  the  Son 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: בַּר  
Sense: son, heir.
פֶּן־  lest 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: פֶּן  
Sense: lest, not, beware lest adv.
יֶאֱנַ֤ף ׀  He  be  angry 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָנַף  
Sense: to be angry, to be displeased, to breathe hard.
וְתֹ֬אבְדוּ  and  you  perish 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect, second person masculine plural
Root: אָבַד  
Sense: perish, vanish, go astray, be destroyed.
דֶ֗רֶךְ  [in]  the  way 
Parse: Noun, common singular
Root: דֶּרֶךְ  
Sense: way, road, distance, journey, manner.
יִבְעַ֣ר  is  kindled 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: בָּעַר 
Sense: to burn, consume, kindle, be kindled.
כִּמְעַ֣ט  but  a  little 
Parse: Preposition-k, Adjective, masculine singular
Root: מְעַט  
Sense: littleness, few, a little, fewness.
אַפּ֑וֹ  His  wrath 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: אַף 
Sense: nostril, nose, face.
אַ֝שְׁרֵ֗י  Blessed  [are] 
Parse: Interjection
Root: אֶשֶׁר 
Sense: happiness, blessedness.
ח֥וֹסֵי  those  who  put  their  trust 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct
Root: חָסָה  
Sense: (Qal) to seek refuge, flee for protection.
בֽוֹ  in  Him 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular