The Meaning of Psalms 2:10 Explained

Psalms 2:10

KJV: Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

YLT: And now, O kings, act wisely, Be instructed, O judges of earth,

Darby: And now, O kings, be ye wise, be admonished, ye judges of the earth.

ASV: Now therefore be wise, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Be wise  now therefore, O ye kings:  be instructed,  ye judges  of the earth. 

What does Psalms 2:10 Mean?

Verse Meaning

In view of the inevitability of judgment for rebellion, David exhorted the nations to submit before the wrath of the great King led Him to smite them. The leaders of these nations would be wise to bow in submission not only to David, but, what is more important, to the King behind him in heaven.

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 2:10 mean?

Therefore now kings be wise Be instructed you judges of the earth
וְ֭עַתָּה מְלָכִ֣ים הַשְׂכִּ֑ילוּ הִ֝וָּסְר֗וּ שֹׁ֣פְטֵי אָֽרֶץ

וְ֭עַתָּה  Therefore  now 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb
Root: עַתָּה  
Sense: now.
מְלָכִ֣ים  kings 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: מֶלֶךְ 
Sense: king.
הַשְׂכִּ֑ילוּ  be  wise 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: שָׂכַל 
Sense: to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper.
הִ֝וָּסְר֗וּ  Be  instructed 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: יָסַר 
Sense: to chasten, discipline, instruct, admonish.
שֹׁ֣פְטֵי  you  judges 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct
Root: שָׁפַט  
Sense: to judge, govern, vindicate, punish.
אָֽרֶץ  of  the  earth 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.