Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 2:3

"Let us break their bonds asunder, And cast away their cords from us." — Psalms 2:3 (ASV)

Let us break their bands asunder—the bands of Yahweh and of His Anointed. Those who are engaged in this combination or conspiracy regard Yahweh and His Anointed as one, and as having one object: to set up a dominion over the world. Hence, they take counsel against both; and with the same purpose and design, they endeavor to cast off the authority of each.

The word “bands” here refers to the restraints imposed by their authority. The figure is probably taken from fastening a yoke on oxen, or the bands or cords used in plowing—the bands of the yoke being significant of their subjection to the authority or will of another.

The same figure is used by the Savior in Matthew 11:29: Take my yoke upon you. The idea here is that it was the purpose of Yahweh and His Anointed to establish a dominion over men, and it was equally the purpose of the kings and rulers here referred to that it should not be done.

And cast away their cords from us—the same idea in another form. The cords refer not to what would bind them as prisoners, but to the ropes or thongs that bound oxen to the plow; and therefore, to what would bind men to the service of God. The word translated “cords” is a stronger word than what is rendered “bands.” It properly means what is twisted or interlaced and refers to the usual way ropes are made.

Perhaps also, in the words let us cast away, there is the expression of an idea that it could be easily done: that they had only to will it, and it would be done. Together, the expressions refer to the purpose among men to cast off the government of God, and especially that part of His administration which refers to His purpose to establish a kingdom under the Messiah.

It thus indicates a prevalent state of the human mind as being impatient of the restraints and authority of God, and especially of the dominion of His Son, anointed as King.

The passage (Psalms 2:1–3) proves the following:

1. That the government of Yahweh, the true God, and the Messiah or Christ, is the same;
2. That opposition to the Messiah, or to Christ, is in fact opposition to the purposes of the true God;
3. That it may be expected that men will oppose that government, and there will be agitation and commotion in endeavoring to throw it off.

The passage, considered as referring to the Messiah, had an ample fulfillment.

1. In the purposes of the high priests, Herod, and Pilate to put Him to death, and in the general rejection of Him by His own countrymen;
2. In the general conduct of mankind—in their impatience of the restraints of the law of God, and especially of that law as promulgated by the Savior, demanding submission and obedience to Him; and
3. In the conduct of individual sinners—in the opposition of the human heart to the authority of the Lord Jesus.

The passage before us is just as applicable to the world now as it was to the time when the Savior personally appeared on the earth.