Psalms 2:7
I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern coronation ceremonies included royal adoption language, where kings became 'sons' of their deities. Egypt's Pharaohs were styled 'son of Ra,' and other monarchies used similar terminology. Israel adopted this language but transformed it—Davidic kings were adopted sons by covenant, not biological descendants of God. This unique Father-Son relationship distinguished Israel's monarchy from pagan god-kings.
The Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:14) promised, 'I will be his father, and he shall be my son'—language echoed here. Solomon's wisdom literature explored this Father-Son dynamic (Proverbs 30:4). Yet no human king fully embodied this ideal—all sinned, all fell short. The early church recognized that only Jesus truly fulfilled this decree. Church fathers debated its application: some emphasized Christ's eternal generation, others His resurrection vindication, but all agreed it affirmed His unique divine Sonship. Hebrews 1:5's use demonstrates Christ's superiority to angels and prophets—only He is the Son in this absolute sense.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we reconcile Christ's eternal divine Sonship with the temporal language 'this day have I begotten thee,' and what does this reveal about His nature?
- Why does the New Testament apply coronation language to Christ's resurrection, and what does this suggest about the resurrection's significance?
- What is the relationship between Christ's divine Sonship (His eternal nature) and His Messianic Sonship (His redemptive role)?
- How should believers understand their own adoption as sons (Galatians 4:5-7) in relation to Christ's unique eternal Sonship?
- What authority does Christ possess as the decreed Son of God, and how should this shape Christian worship and obedience?
Analysis & Commentary
This pivotal verse records the coronation decree—the king's royal authorization. The phrase 'I will declare the decree' introduces an official proclamation, using legal terminology (choq, statute/decree). What follows is nothing less than divine adoption: 'Thou art my Son'—the most exalted language possible in ancient monarchy, signifying unique relationship and delegated authority.
The temporal clause 'this day have I begotten thee' has sparked extensive theological discussion. In ancient coronation contexts, this marked the king's official installation, not biological generation. However, the New Testament applies this verse directly to Christ's deity and eternal Sonship (Hebrews 1:5, 5:5). The Greek gennao (begotten) in these passages affirms Christ's unique relationship to the Father—not created but eternally begotten, sharing divine essence.
Acts 13:33 associates this verse with Christ's resurrection—the moment when God publicly vindicated and exalted His Son. Romans 1:4 states Jesus was 'declared to be the Son of God with power... by the resurrection from the dead.' The 'begetting' thus encompasses both Christ's eternal generation from the Father and His resurrection vindication before the world. The decree is both eternal and temporal, ontological and functional—Christ is eternally Son and historically appointed as Messianic King.