The Meaning of Psalms 2:1 Explained

Psalms 2:1

KJV: Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

YLT: Why have nations tumultuously assembled? And do peoples meditate vanity?

Darby: Why are the nations in tumultuous agitation, and why do the peoples meditate a vain thing?

ASV: Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Why do the heathen  rage,  and the people  imagine  a vain thing? 

What does Psalms 2:1 Mean?

Verse Meaning

David set forth his amazement in the form of a rhetorical question. He could not believe that the nations would try to do something that was sure to fail. It was senseless to reject God"s rule and ruler (cf. Acts 4:25-28; Romans 1:20-32). The people in the first part of Psalm 1delight in the law, but the people in the first part of Psalm 2defy the law.

Context Summary

Psalms 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: Psalms 2

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

What do the individual words in Psalms 2:1 mean?

Why do rage the nations and the people plot a vain thing
לָ֭מָּה רָגְשׁ֣וּ גוֹיִ֑ם וּ֝לְאֻמִּ֗ים יֶהְגּוּ־ ؟ רִֽיק

לָ֭מָּה  Why 
Parse: Interrogative
Root: לָמָּה 
Sense: what, how, of what kind.
רָגְשׁ֣וּ  do  rage 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: רָגַשׁ  
Sense: (Qal) to be in a tumult or commotion.
גוֹיִ֑ם  the  nations 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: גֹּוי 
Sense: nation, people.
וּ֝לְאֻמִּ֗ים  and  the  people 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine plural
Root: לְאֹם  
Sense: a people, nation.
יֶהְגּוּ־  plot 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: הָגָה  
Sense: to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak.
؟ רִֽיק  a  vain  thing 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: רִיק  
Sense: emptiness, vanity, empty, idle, vain.