Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 29:78 (Spring 2025)
Article: Reclassifying Psalm 2 As Prophetic Rebuke
Author: Donald C. “Mac” McIntyre

JODT 29:78 (Spring 2025) p. 35

Reclassifying Psalm 2 As Prophetic Rebuke

Donald C. “Mac” McIntyre

* Donald C. “Mac” McIntyre, Ph.D., D.Min., licensed Southern Baptist minister, Charleston, West Virginia

Gunkel’s form category classification for the Psalter has held sway in Old Testament studies for decades. The initial classification of Psalm 2 as a messianic, kingship, enthronement, or royal psalm seems unconvincing considering the psalm’s primary concern for the Gentile nations. After reviewing Gunkel’s seminal work, a better subcategory of genre for the second psalm was found: the prophetic rebuke psalm. The present study will argue that Psalm 2 is best classified as a prophetic rebuke psalm by assessing the Psalm and considering Gunkel’s criteria for prophetic rebuke Psalms, in addition to comparing it to accepted prophetic rebuke Psalms, and examining New Testament employment of the second Psalm in rebuke contexts.

Gunkel’s seminal works Die Psalmen and Einleitung in die Psalmen: die Gattungen der religiosen Lyrik Israels offered a form-critical categorization scheme for the Psalter that has remained largely unchallenged to this day.1 Psalm 2 is one of the most familiar messianic passages in the Old Testament, and it was a favorite text of the Apostolic age.2 Psalm 2 has often been categorized as a messianic or kingship Psalm due to its use of the term מָשִׁיחַ, emphasis on the throne, or allusions to the Davidic covenant; however, this may be mistaken.3 When one analyzes

JODT 29:78 (Spring 2025) p. 36

Gunkel’s different form categories, another type seems more justified for the second Psalm, which possesses a better explanatory scope for the Psalm’s contents. Analysis will show that Psalm 2 is best subclassified as a prophetic rebuke psalm. Argument will begin with a short discussion of the literary context of Psalm 2, compare it with the accepted prophetic rebuke Psalms, and end by showing how the Psalm is exclusively employed in the New Testament near a rebuke.

Context

The authorship and dating of Psalm 2 are unknown from the Old Testament text; it is anonymous without the title found in many other Psalms.4 In following, New Testament claims of authorship and an appropriately derived date will be examined. Claus Westermann has convincingly argued that all Psalms fall under two main genre categories: praise and lament, further subdivided by their individual or corporate nature.You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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