Psalm 2 3

Psalm 2:3 kjv

Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

Psalm 2:3 nkjv

"Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us."

Psalm 2:3 niv

"Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles."

Psalm 2:3 esv

"Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us."

Psalm 2:3 nlt

"Let us break their chains," they cry,
"and free ourselves from slavery to God."

Psalm 2 verses

Psalm 2 3 Meaning

Psalm 2:3 vividly portrays the defiant declaration of rebellious kings and rulers against God's established authority and His Anointed King, the Messiah. They perceive God's sovereignty and His chosen ruler's reign as restrictive chains and bonds, and they conspire in unison to violently sever and cast off these perceived burdens to achieve absolute freedom from divine dominion.

Psalm 2 3 Context

Psalm 2 is a royal, prophetic, and messianic psalm that outlines the rebellion of earthly powers against the divinely appointed King (the Messiah) and God Himself. It opens with the furious conspiracy of "nations" and "peoples," and "kings of the earth" and "rulers" who "take counsel together" (Ps 2:1-2). Verse 3 is their direct, audacious declaration of intent, articulating their shared desire to throw off any perceived restriction imposed by God's dominion and the rule of His chosen One. This rebellion sets the stage for God's scornful laughter and the ultimate decree of the Messiah's universal rule and judgment (Ps 2:4-9), culminating in a call for all kings to humble submission (Ps 2:10-12). Historically, it reflects the constant tension between human autonomy and divine sovereignty, common in ancient Near Eastern vassal relationships where kings rebelled against suzerains, but here the Suzerain is the Almighty God. Theologically, it describes humanity's innate rebellion against spiritual authority.

Psalm 2 3 Word analysis

• "Let us burst" (ננתקה - nᵉnatteqah):

  • From the Hebrew root nāṯaq (נתק), meaning "to tear away, to violently sever, to break off."
  • This verb implies an act of force and separation.
  • The imperfect form, first person plural, indicates a decided, joint action: "We will tear asunder." It shows shared determination.

• "their bonds" (מוסרותיהם - moserotehem):

  • Plural of moserah (מוסרה), meaning "a binding, a restraint, a fetter, a yoke, or a cord."
  • This word speaks to anything that binds, constrains, or enforces allegiance.
  • Metaphorically, it refers to God's decree, His authority, covenants, and the divine appointment of the Messianic king as perceived obligations.
  • The possessive suffix "-yehem" (their) indicates these bonds are understood as belonging to God and His Anointed One.

• "apart":

  • An adverb emphasizing the completeness and decisiveness of the breaking. The aim is total dissolution, not just loosening.

• "and cast away" (ונשליכה - vᵉnashliḵah):

  • From the Hebrew root šālaḵ (שלך), meaning "to throw down, fling off, reject, cast away."
  • This is another strong, active verb conveying defiance and forceful rejection.
  • The waw-consecutive connects this action directly to "bursting their bonds," indicating a unified and decisive effort.

• "their cords" (עבתימו - ʿavoteyhem):

  • Plural of ʿavot (עבות), referring to "thick ropes, interwoven cords."
  • This term often denotes something strong, binding, and sometimes associated with oppression or burdens.
  • It functions as a poetic parallel to "their bonds," reinforcing the imagery of restriction and divine control that the rebellious rulers desire to eliminate.
  • The use of both "bonds" and "cords" amplifies their perception of the divine rule as heavily restrictive.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.": This combined statement is the unified war cry of the rebellious kings and rulers. It expresses their deep-seated desire for absolute autonomy and freedom from any divine oversight or authority. They perceive God's reign and the reign of His Anointed as a heavy, unwelcome burden. The use of plural forms ("us," "their") underscores the conspiracy and shared rebellious spirit against the sovereignty of God and His Christ. This phrase also reveals their mistaken view that true liberty lies in rejecting divine truth and governance, rather than submitting to it. It sets the stage for God's overwhelming response in the following verses.

Psalm 2 3 Bonus section

• The Deception of Perceived Freedom: The rebels in Ps 2:3 believe that breaking away from divine "bonds" will lead to ultimate freedom. However, from a biblical perspective, true freedom is found in alignment with God's will and purpose (cf. Jn 8:36; Rom 8:2), not in rebellion against it. Their path to "freedom" leads to inevitable destruction (Ps 2:9, 12).
• The Spiritual Nature of Rebellion: This rebellion is not merely political but fundamentally spiritual. It is a cosmic rebellion against the Creator's right to rule His creation, echoed in Lucifer's rebellion against God's authority in heavenly realms. It reflects the heart's natural inclination towards autonomy rather than submission to the divine.
• Historical Echoes and Prophetic Fulfillment: While rooted in a historical context of earthly kingdoms, Ps 2:3's theme resonates through history whenever rulers or societies defy God's standards. Its ultimate fulfillment points to the worldwide anti-Christ rebellion against Jesus Christ at His second coming, when all earthly powers will attempt one final, futile revolt against the King of Kings.

Psalm 2 3 Commentary

Psalm 2:3 provides insight into the nature of spiritual rebellion. It articulates the defiant heart of humanity that resists God's rightful authority. The "bonds" and "cords" are God's sovereign decree, His established moral order, and His choice of the Messiah as King. The rebellious rulers view these as impositions that restrict their freedom and self-will, rather than seeing them as beneficent boundaries designed for order and flourishing. Their violent language ("burst," "cast away") signifies not just a desire for independence, but an aggressive intent to dismantle any influence of divine rule. This verse underscores the timeless conflict between humanity's desire for ultimate autonomy and God's unwavering sovereignty. It foretells a continuous, ultimate rebellion that will ultimately be met with divine judgment, demonstrating the futility of human efforts to oppose the Almighty.