Why have nations gathered Our Sages (Ber. 7b) expounded the passage as referring to the King Messiah, but according to its apparent meaning, it is proper to interpret it as referring to David himself, as the matter is stated (II Sam. 5:17): “And the Philistines heard that they had anointed David as king over Israel, and all the Philistines went up to seek, etc.,” and they fell into his hands. Concerning them, he says, “Why have nations gathered,” and they all gathered.

and kingdoms think vain things in their heart.

and kingdoms Heb. ולאמים. Menachem interprets לאמים, אמות, and גוים as all closely related.

Kings of a land stand up and nobles take counsel, etc. Heb. רוזנים, senors (seigneurs) in Old French, lords.

take counsel Heb. נוסדו, an expression of counsel (סוד), furt konsilez in Old French (furent conseilles), they hold counsel (see below 55:15). And what is the counsel?...

Let us break their bands Deronproms lor koyongles in Old French (as in Jer. 27:2). These are the bands with which the yoke is tied.

their cords Heb. עבתימו, lor kordes (leur cordes) in Old French.

laughs...mocks...speaks They are meant as the present tense.

Then He speaks to them Heb. אלימו, like אליהם. And what is the speech?...

But I have enthroned My king Why have you gathered together? I have appointed this one for Me to govern and to reign on Zion, My holy mount.

I will tell of the decree Said David, “This is an established decree, and [one] that I have received to tell this and to make known.”

The Lord said to me through Nathan, Gad, and Samuel.

You are My son The head over Israel, who are called “My firstborn son.” And they will endure through you, as is stated concerning Abner (II Sam. 3:18): “for God said, etc., ‘By the hand of My bondsman David shall I deliver...Israel.’” And for their sake, you are before Me as a son because they are all dependent upon you.

this day have I for I have enthroned you over them.

begotten you to be called My son and to be beloved to Me as a son for their sake, as it is stated (I Chronicles 14:2): ‘And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of His people Israel.’ And we find that the kings of Israel who were beloved before Him were called sons, as it is stated (II Sam. 7:14) concerning Solomon: “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to Me a son.” We find further concerning David (Ps. 89:27) “He shall call Me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’”

Request of Me Pray to Me whenever you come to battle your enemies.

You shall break them Heb. תרעם [like] תרוצצם.

with an iron rod That is the sword.

you shall shatter them Heb. תנפצם, you shall break them, and that is the expression of נפוץ throughout the Scriptures, a potsherd that is bro ken into fine pieces.

And now, [you] kings, be wise The Jewish prophets are merciful people. They reprove the heathens to turn away from their evil, for the Holy One, blessed be He, extends His hand to the wicked and to the righteous.

and rejoice with quaking When the quaking, about which it is written (Isa. 33:14): “Trembling seized the flatterers,” comes, you will rejoice and be happy if you have served the Lord.

Arm yourselves with purity Arm yourselves with purity of the heart. Some explain נשקו as garnimont in Old French, equipping. (This is from the verb, garnir. Garnimont means to provide, as in Gen. 41:40). Menachem (p. 179) interprets it as an expression of desire, as (in Gen. 3:16): “Your longing (תשוקתך) shall be for your husband.”

lest He become angry Heb. יאנף, lest He become angry.

and you perish in the way Like the matter that is stated (above 1:16): “but the way of the wicked shall perish.”

for in a moment His wrath will be kindled For in a short moment His wrath will suddenly be kindled against them, and at that time, the praises of all those who take refuge in Him will be discerned, the praises of all who take refuge in Him.