Bible Strands
Psalms 2:5
Then He rebukes them in His anger, and terrifies them in His fury:
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist records God’s response to the rebellious nations and kings who have plotted against Him and His Anointed. This declaration directly follows God’s laughter and taunting in Psalm 2:4 and immediately precedes His announcement of installing His King on Zion in Psalm 2:6.
The words — The Hebrew adverb אָז ('az, "then") introduces the verbs יְדַבֵּר (ye.daber, "he speaks") and יְבַהֲלֵם (ye.va.halem, "he terrifies them"), occurring בְּאַפּוֹ (ve.'appo, "in His anger") and בַּחֲרוֹנוֹ (u.va'charono, "and in His fury"). The text describes a verbal confrontation rather than a physical battle, with God’s speech functioning as the instrument of judgment.
The thread — This mechanism of divine speech executing judgment runs through Isaiah 11:4, where He strikes the earth with the rod of His mouth while judging the poor with equity, and Revelation 19:15, where a sharp sword proceeds from His mouth to strike down the nations. It also connects to Psalm 21:9, which depicts God engulfing enemies in His wrath at His appearing.
Why it lands — The passage requires readers to acknowledge that human rebellion is instantly nullified by God’s authoritative word. It demands submission to His sovereign rule and His appointed King rather than continued resistance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 11:4 but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.
- Revelation 19:15 And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
- Psalms 21:9 You will place them in a fiery furnace at the time of Your appearing. In His wrath the LORD will engulf them, and the fire will consume them.
- Psalms 110:5 The Lord is at Your right hand; He will crush kings in the day of His wrath.
- Psalms 78:49 He unleashed His fury against them, wrath, indignation, and calamity—a band of destroying angels.
- Luke 19:27 And these enemies of mine who were unwilling for me to rule over them, bring them here and slay them in front of me.’”
- Isaiah 66:6 Hear the uproar from the city; listen to the voice from the temple! It is the voice of the LORD, repaying His enemies what they deserve!
- Zechariah 1:15 but I am fiercely angry with the nations that are at ease. For I was a little angry, but they have added to the calamity.’
- Psalms 50:16 To the wicked, however, God says, “What right have you to recite My statutes and to bear My covenant on your lips?
- Matthew 22:7 The king was enraged, and he sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city.