Psalm 2 & The Messiah

Psalm 2 & The Messiah

Psalms 2 begins with a question: "Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing?" (Psalms 2:1 NASB1995). The nations are coming not against Israel this time but against the Lord God and his anointed, i.e. his Messiah or "מְשִׁיחֽוֹ". "The psalmist writes with a vision before his eyes. He "sees Jehovah upon his throne, and Messiah entering upon his universal dominion. The enemies of both on earth rise up against them with frantic tumult, and vainly strive to east off the fetters of their rule." Hence his sudden outburst ... The vision shows the psalmist Jew and Gentile banded together against the gospel of Christ. Its scope is not exhausted by the exposition of Acts 4:26, but extends to the whole struggle between Christianity on the one hand, and Judaism and paganism on the other. "The peoples" still to this day "imagine a vain thing" - imagine that Christianity will succumb to the assaults made upon it - will fade, die away, and disappear," (Barnes).
Both the nations and the peoples, i.e. the Hebrews, have come in a manner as to stop the Lord's plan. The Lord has anointed a king (Psalms 2:6-7) that he calls: "... My Son, Today I have begotten You," (Psalms 2:7 NASB1995). 

"Of what has been termed his eternal generation, or sonship, this day, signifying from all eternity, which may be considered as well described by this day, there being no succession, no yesterday, no tomorrow, in eternity; but all being as one continued day, or moment without change," (Benson). This is to say that prior to time, there was of course, was no time. In this period or "day", the Son is termed as the Son from all eternity.

The Father tells the Son: "Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession," (Psalms 2:8 NASB1995). This is as if to say that all the Father owns is the Son's, the same idea is present in John: "All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you," (John 16:15 NASB1995).
This Son is to receive "homage" (Psalms 2:12): "The meaning here is that they should express their allegiance to the Son of God, or recognize him as the authorized King, with suitable expressions of submission and allegiance; that they should receive him as King, and submit to his reign. Applied to others, it means that they should embrace him as their Saviour," (Barnes).

References:

Barnes' Notes on the New Testament. United Kingdom, Kregel Publications, 1962.

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

The Pulpit Commentary, Volume 6. United States, Delmarva Publications, Inc., 2015.