Ibn Ezra on Psalms

Why do nations assemble (לָ֭מָּה רָגְשׁ֣וּ - lamah ragshu): What seems correct in my eyes is that this psalm was composed by one of the poets concerning David on the day he was anointed. Therefore, it is written [later in verse 7], "This day I have begotten you." Or [alternatively, the psalm is] about the Messiah. And ragshu [translated here as "assemble," but can also mean rage/tumult] is like "joined together" (chavru). Similar to it is [the phrase in (Psalm 64:3)] "from the assembly/tumult (mirgeshet) of the workers of iniquity." And the Lamed [prefix] of le'umim (לְאֻמִּ֗ים - peoples): [This Lamed is part of the] root [of the word], as the singular form is le'om (people/nation). As in (Genesis 25:23): "and one people (u-le'om) shall be stronger than the other people (mi-le'om)." Plot/utter vain things (יֶהְגּוּ־רִֽיק - yehgu rik): [This refers to plotting] through speech (be-dibur). Similar [usage of hagah for speech is found], as in [verses like (Psalm 35:28)] "And my tongue shall speak (tehgeh) Your righteousness." And the [specific vain] speech [they utter] is [revealed in verse 3]: "Let us break their bonds asunder."

They take their stand (יִ֥תְיַצְּב֨וּ - yityatzvu): The kings and the regents (roznim - also nobles/rulers) [act] together with the nations [mentioned in v. 1]. And nosdu-yachad (נוֹסְדוּ־יָ֑חַד - they intrigue/conspire together): [Nosdu] is from the root sod (סוֹד - secret, council, conspiracy). Behold, this follows the pattern of (Psalm 35:1) "Contend (Rivah), O LORD, with those who contend with me (yerivai)," where [yerivai] is from the root rav (רב - contend, strive), which is a hollow root (me-'alumei ha-ayin - i.e., middle root letter is Vav or Yod) related to the noun riv (רִיב - strife). [Ibn Ezra implies a similar relationship between the verb nosdu and the noun sod]. The yod in yerivai is transformed and it represents a defective adjectival form. Alternatively, [nosdu] is from the root yesod (יְסוֹד - foundation), [implying they establish a common foundation or plan together]. According to the opinion that this psalm, which the poet composed, was said about David (or that he [David] prophesied about himself)—behold, we find that many nations were under David's control [making such a rebellion historically plausible]. And if [the psalm is] about the Messiah, the matter [of widespread opposition] is even clearer. And the meaning of "against the LORD" ('עַל־ה - al Ad-nai): Is that they have departed from the control of the sound judgment (sikul ha-da'at) which God implanted in the heart of every person. And [the meaning of] "and against His anointed" (וְעַל־מְשִׁיחֽוֹ - ve-al meshicho): Is that they should not deny him [or 'deal falsely with him'], but rather submit (yasuru el) to his authority/obedience (mishma'ato) to pay him tribute (mas).

Let us break their cords (nenattekah et mosroteimo): [The word mosroteimo - their cords/bonds] is from the root musar (מוּסָר - discipline, bond, instruction). Also their ropes (גַּם עֲבֹתֵימוֹ - gam avoteimo): Means thick ropes (chavalim avotim). The meaning [of mosrot and avot] is one and the same, [expressed] with different words. For this is a manner of rhetorical elegance (derekh tzachut), like [in (Numbers 23:8)]: "How shall I curse (mah ekov)... and how shall I denounce (umah ez'om)." [Using synonyms in parallel clauses]. He who sits (יוֹשֵׁב - yoshev) [referring to yoshev ba-shamayim - "He who sits in the heavens" in v. 4]: Because Scripture mentioned [in v. 2] "kings of the earth take their stand" (yityatzvu malkhei eretz), it states, in contrast to them, "He who sits in the heavens," which are above man. The [Rav Saadia] Gaon said: That the meaning of He will laugh (יִשְׂחָק - yischak) [v. 4] is that He will make them into an object of laughter and derision (sechok u-la'ag). And the correct [view] is: That HaShem created substance/matter (ha-geshem), which is the essence, and the forms (ha-tzurot), which are accidents/attributes. [These philosophical terms contrast with] whatever man does or the images of living things he forms [in his mind]. His Name [i.e., God Himself] alone is too exalted to be [described] in terms of substance/essence, let alone accident/attribute. However, because the speaker [of Scripture] is human, and likewise the hearer, the Torah spoke in the language of human beings (dibrah Torah ki-leshon bnei adam) so that the hearer may understand. And similarly, they treated the earth as if it had human form, [as in verses like]: "And the earth opened its mouth" (Numbers 16:32), [and phrases like] "from the recesses/ends (mi-yarketei) of the earth" (e.g., Jeremiah 6:22). [Thus, "laughing" is anthropomorphic language used for human understanding]. And -lamo [in yil'ag lamo - "will mock them" in v. 4]: Is like lahem (לָהֶם - to/for them) [an archaic pronoun form]. And the word la'ag (לַעַג - scorn, derision): Is always [found] with the letter Lamed [as a prefix to the object being scorned], like (Psalm 22:8) "they mock me" (yal'igu li) [and (Psalm 80:7)] "therefore our enemies mock them" (ve-oyveinu yil'agu lamo). [This is] a manner of expression (derekh kinuy - perhaps meaning 'idiomatic usage' or 'reference'), as I will explain [elsewhere, or referring perhaps to the specific usage here].

Some say (yesh omrim): [That the word] He will speak (yedaber) means "He will destroy" (ye'abed). [They compare it to] (II Kings 11:1) "and she destroyed (va-tedaber) all the royal seed." This [verb dabar] is thus an expression of death (leshon mavet), similar to (Hosea 13:14) "O Death, where are your plagues/destruction (devarekha)". [They argue further] that it is written in another book [referring again to the account in Kings or a related source] that va-tedaber ("and she destroyed") is from the root [meaning] a very heavy plague/matter (davar kaved me'od). [Regarding] Eleimo (אֵלֵימוֹ - to them): [Some interpret this as referring to] the strong ones (ha-chazakim), comparing it to (Ezekiel 17:13) "and he took the mighty (eilei) of the land." However, this is not correct (ve-eineno nakhon). Because "the mighty (eilei) of the land" is used metaphorically [for leaders], in the same manner as "the strong bulls (abbirei) of Bashan" (Psalm 22:13). Also, [the word eil meaning mighty/ram] has a yod (איל) as it is derived from [a root related to] ayil (ram/strength). [Therefore, eleimo here, without the yod, is not referring to 'the mighty ones'].

But I have installed (וַאֲנִי נָסַכְתִּי - va'ani nasakhti): [This means] I have made king (himlakhti). And the meaning is that he is My prince (nesikhi). Similar [usage connecting this root to rulership is found] regarding "the five kings of Midian who were princes (nesikhei) of Sihon" (Joshua 13:21). And know that the construct state (semikhut - e.g., "king of X") sometimes proceeds from the honored [noun] to the less esteemed [noun], and sometimes the opposite, like [in (Psalm 44:5)] "You are my King, O God" (Atah hu Malki Elokim) [where "God" is the more honored noun]. "But I have installed My king" (va'ani nasakhti malki): [This relationship is like how Israel is God's portion, e.g.,] "Ad-nai is his inheritance" (Deuteronomy 10:9) and [conversely] "They are Your people and Your inheritance" (Deuteronomy 9:29). [The king is God's designated representative]. And similar to it [the concept of a designated king related to God] is [the phrase in (Zechariah 14:16-17)] "to bow down to the King, Ad-nai of hosts" (le-hishtachavot le-melekh Ad-nai tzeva'ot). [This title "King, Ad-nai of hosts" in Zechariah] refers to the Messiah. This is in the manner of (Psalm 72:11) "And all kings shall bow down to him" (ve-yishtachavu lo kol melakhim). For if [the phrase le-melekh ("to the King") in (Zechariah 14:16)] were referring [directly] to HaShem, the Lamed [prefix] would have a patach vowel [i.e., it would likely be לַמֶּלֶךְ - la-melekh].

Let me tell (אֲסַפְּרָ֗ה - asapperah): These are the words of David along with his prophecy; or, the words of the poet [who composed the psalm] speaking on his [David's, or the Messiah's] behalf. [Regarding] the decree (אֶֽ֫ל־חֹ֥ק - el chok): [The meaning is:] This which I will tell, I will establish it (asim oto) as a decree (le-chok) that should be related. And this [decree] is: He said to me, "You are My son" – [meaning] to serve HaShem, just as a son honors a father. I have fathered you this day (אֲ֝נִ֗י הַיּ֥וֹם יְלִדְתִּֽיךָ - ani hayom yelidtíkha): This is similar to (Deuteronomy 32:18): "The Rock who fathered you (tzur yeladkha), you forgot."

Ask (שְׁאַ֤ל - she'al): It is the custom (minhag) of a father to give an inheritance (le-hanchil) to the son; therefore He said, "and I will make the nations your inheritance (nachalatékha)." Ends of the earth (אַפְסֵי־אָֽרֶץ - afsei-aretz): From the same root (mi-gizrat) as [in (Genesis 47:15)] "for the money is finished (ki afes kasef)." [It refers to] places cut off (negzarim) from settlement (mi-yishuv).

You will break them (תְּרֹעֵם - tero'em): [This means] You will shatter them (teshabberem). The [letter] Ayin (ע) [the second root letter of ר-ע-ע] would properly have a dagesh (doubling dot) [in this verb stem], were it not for the fact that it is a guttural letter ("from the throat"). [This absence of an expected dagesh is] similar to [forms like] tesokhem (תְּשׂוֹכֵם) and tesovem (תְּסוֹבֵם), [where the middle root letter also lacks a dagesh]. With a rod of iron (בְּשֵׁבֶט בַּרְזֶל - be-shevet barzel): [This refers metaphorically to] the sword (ha-cherev). You will shatter them (תְּנַפְּצֵֽם - tenappetzem): [This outcome is] the opposite of (hefekh) [what the nations intended when] "nations assemble (ragshu goyim)" [in verse 1].

And now, O kings (וְ֭עַתָּה מְלָכִ֣ים - ve-attah melakhim): These are the "kings of the earth" [mentioned in verse 2]. Be prudent (הַשְׂכִּ֑ילוּ - haskílu): [This is] the opposite of [acting] "against Ad-nai" [which they did in verse 2]. Accept discipline (הִוָּסְר֗וּ - hivvaseru): [This is] the opposite of [saying in verse 3] "[Let us break] their cords (mosroteimo)." You rulers/judges of the earth (שֹׁ֣פְטֵי אָֽרֶץ - shoftei aretz): These are the "regents" (roznim) [mentioned in verse 2].

Serve (עִבְדוּ - ivdu): [This command is] the opposite of their words [in verse 3], "Let us break (nenattekah) [their cords]." And the service of HaShem [should be] out of fear (le-yir'ah) of Him, and [so as] not to transgress His command (lit. His mouth). And rejoice (וְגִילוּ - ve-gilu): If joy (gil) comes, do not forget that you should tremble (tir'adu) out of fear of HaShem. [Explaining the combination "rejoice with trembling"]. And some say (v'yesh omrim): [That the imperative form] rejoice (gilu) is like [the future/imperfect form] "you will rejoice" (tagilu). [This follows] the pattern of [sequences where imperatives imply a consequence or condition, like (Deuteronomy 32:50)] "Ascend (aleh) ... and die (u-mut) on the mountain," or [like the blessing in (Genesis 1:22)] "Be fruitful (p'ru) and multiply (u-rvu)," which is a blessing upon the fish of the sea. And the meaning [according to this second view] is: That you will rejoice (tagilu) if you have [first] trembled (ra'adtem) out of [fear of] HaShem.

Kiss the son (נַשְּׁקוּ־בַר - nashku var): Behold, "Serve Ad-nai" [from v. 11] corresponds to [the rebellion] "against Ad-nai" [in v. 2]. And "Kiss the son" [nashku var] corresponds to [the rebellion] "against His anointed" [in v. 2]. And behold, the interpretation of bar is "son," as in (Proverbs 31:2): "What, my son (beri), and what, O son (bar) of my womb?" And so it is written [in verse 7], "You are My son (b'ni atah)." And the custom of nations in the world is to place their hands under the hand of the king (like the brothers of Solomon [showing submission, cf. (I Chronicles 29:24)]), or [for] the servant [to place his hand] under the thigh of his master [for an oath, cf. (Genesis 24:2)], or to kiss the king. And this custom [of kissing the ruler] exists until today in the land of India. Lest He be angered (פֶּן־יֶאֱנַף - pen ye'enaf): [The pronoun "He"] refers back to HaShem [God] mentioned in the previous verse ("Serve Ad-nai"). Even if the antecedent is distant, [this occurs elsewhere], like [in (Exodus 15:12)] "the earth swallowed them" – ["them"] does not refer back to the [immediately preceding] phrase "Who is like You among the gods?" [v. 11] but rather to [the more distant] "[the] enemy said" [v. 9].¹ And similarly [in (Exodus 40:17-19), the fulfillment of actions] "and they erected the Tabernacle" [refers back to commands given much earlier]. And some say (v'yesh omrim): That nashku is from the root neshek (נֶשֶׁק - arms, weaponry). And the meaning [would be]: Arm yourselves (nashku) with purity (var). And behold, bar [would then mean "pure"], like [in (Psalm 24:4)] "pure (b'rei) of heart." [However, Ibn Ezra notes grammatical issues:] It properly should have been [the noun] bor (בֹּר - purity), or [the phrase would be] "equip (tiknu) the purity (ha-bor)" or "[take up] the weapon/vessel (k'li) of purity (ha-bor)." And you perish [from the] way (וְתֹאבְדוּ דֶרֶךְ - ve-to'vdu derekh): [This means] you will be perishing because of the way (mi-pe'at ha-derekh). Similar [is the construction in (Isaiah 1:30)] "whose foliage fades" (novelet aleha, lit. 'fading its leaves') – for the [tree] itself does not fade, but its leaves fade. Because it [the verb avad - אבד, to perish] is one of the intransitive verbs (po'alim ha-omdim). And Rabbi Moshe Rabbi Moshe [ben Shmu'el Gikatilla] HaKohen said: That way (derekh) here is like "a foot's tread" (midrakh kaf regel) [from (Deuteronomy 2:5), meaning a place to stand]. And this is far-fetched (rachok) because it has no sense/reason (ta'am). [Ibn Ezra rejects this interpretation]. For His anger burns quickly (כִּי־יִבְעַר כִּמְעַט אַפּוֹ - ki yiv'ar kim'at appo): [The verb b'r - בער, burn] is [often] transitive (po'el yotze), like [in (Isaiah 9:17)] "as fire burns (tiv'ar) the forest," in the manner of (Deuteronomy 4:24) "a consuming fire (esh okhlah)." And [here] the object (ha-pe'ulah) is missing [i.e., it doesn't say what the anger burns], because there is no need [to state it], for burning anger (chari ha-af) is [already inherently] compared to fire.