Additional Evidence for Hezekiah’s Use of Psalm 2

Introduction

Wyns has previously commented on the appearance of new scholarly approaches to the analysis of the Psalter[1].

In his article he draws attention to Psalm 2 and posits the use made of it by Hezekiah. Wyns suggests that Psalm 2 is possibly used / adapted by Hezekiah as a sacred text re-confirming Davidic covenantal promises possibly within a coronation liturgy.

Having quoted from G. W. Anderson, Wyns then goes on to cite the evidence from Isa 38: 9-20 where Hezekiah states “we will sing my Songs all the days of our life in the house of the Lord”.

We follow the suggestion that the songs referred to here are those of the Psalter, underpinning the implied view that Hezekiah has acted as the compiler and editor in chief of the Psalter a view shared by others.[2]

This article will examine whether there is any additional supporting evidence from the Hezekiah period for the view put forward by P.Wyns, in particular with reference to Psalm 2.

We will show that Hezekiah specifically alludes to Psalm 2 and indeed uses it as a template for prayer. Also, that the Hezekiah allusions are also used later by the Apostles in Acts 4 to link with and amplify the work of Jesus Christ. Other than the quotation above, all quotations are from the KJV.

Psalm 2 & Hezekiah

When we reflect on the experiences of Hezekiah i.e. close to death through mortal illness with the armies of the Assyrians (the heathen) besieging Jerusalem, it is perhaps unsurprising that the words of Psalm 2 (which the Apostles Peter and John attribute to David – Acts 4:25), are considered to be applicable in part to Hezekiah[3]

Indeed some commentators[4] have suggested that Hezekiah at the scene of his greatest trial (the letter from Sennacherib – Isaiah 37) alludes to Psalm 2 in his prayer and receives responses from the Almighty via the prophet Isaiah that also mirror the language and sentiment of Psalm 2.

Consider the table below and notice the strong allusions in the 5 verses from Isaiah 37 through to corresponding meanings in the Psalm.

Isaiah 37	Psalm 2
Thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth (v. 16)	Ask of me and I shall give the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession (v. 8)
“Hear all the words of Sennacherib which hath sent to reproach the living God” (v. 17)	“The kings of the earth set themselves, and ….take counsel together against the Lord, and against his anointed saying” (v. 2)
“Now therefore O Lord our God save us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord even thou only” (v. 20)	“Yet have I set my king upon my Holy Hill of Zion” (v. 6)
“This is the word which the Lord hath spoken concerning him (Sennacherib): The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee and laughed thee to scorn” (v. 22)	“He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision” (v. 4). “Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath and vex them in his sore displeasure” (v. 5)
“I know the rage against me. Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into my ears” (vv. 28-29)	Why do the nations rage?” (v. 1). “The kings of the earth set themselves, and ….take counsel together against the Lord, and against his anointed saying” (v. 2)

On any objective analysis, the fit between these five verses and Psalm 2 is quite remarkable. It seems as though Psalm 2 is being used by Hezekiah as a template for prayer at a time of national crisis (affecting the very existence of the nation and the covenants of promise).

Could it be then that Psalm 2 has (at least in Hezekiah’s time) become the “default psalm (prayer)” to be uttered by an Israelite monarch at a time of national crisis when all other human channels of salvation / relief have been rendered nugatory? Perhaps our question is answered in what follows.

Psalm 2 – David, Hezekiah and Jesus linked Together

The relevance of Hezekiah’s usage of Psalm 2 is confirmed by the remarkable comments and quotations from the Apostles Peter and John in Acts 4. Consider the table below:

Comparison of Psalm 2 & Isaiah 37:16 with Acts 4: 23-30

Acts 4	Isaiah 37:16	Psalm 2
“Lord thou art God which hast made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:” (v. 24)	“…thou art the God, even thou alone of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth” (Isa 37:16)
	“…thou art the God, even thou alone of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth” (Isa 37:16	“Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” (Ps 2:8).
“…who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage and the people imagine vain things? The Kings of the earth stood up and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ ” (vv. 25-26).	Ps 2:4 is not quoted “Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us” (v. 4).	“Why do the nations rage?” (v.1). “The kings of the earth set themselves, and ….take counsel together against the Lord, and against his anointed saying” (v. 2)
“…for of a truth against thy holy child Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together” (v. 27).	Note : 1. Heathen = Romans & Edomites 2. People = faithless Israel 3. K of Earth = Pontius Pilate and Herod 4. Rulers = Sadducees, Pharisees & Herodians	“Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion” (v. 6)
“…behold their threatenings…” (v. 29).	The raising of Jesus from the dead on the 3rd day (prefigured by Hezekiah 2 Kings 20:5) derided the efforts of the Jews to put away Christ once and for all.	“He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision” (v. 4).
“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common” (v. 32)		“Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling” (v. 11).
“and with great power gave the Apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great grace was upon them all” (v. 33).		“Blessed are all they that put their trust in him” (v. 12).

We note that the Apostles quote from Isa 37:16 in Acts 4:24, and in doing so they link the words of Hezekiah and then quote from Psalm 2 applying the words to Jesus and the potentates of their day.

So, we have three Kings of Israel juxtaposed. David, the writer of the Psalm, with his struggle to ensure Solomon was crowned king in his day in the face of Adonijah’s rebellion. Hezekiah, who was triumphant over mortal illness and the armies of Sennacherib. And finally, Jesus, who being pre-eminent over these two was raised from the dead and became the first fruit of a new creation.

It is surely significant of “something” that on at least three occasions a Davidic King has either written, alluded or had these words spoken on his behalf regarding the establishment (or should it be “resurrection”) of the original Davidic covenant at moments of national crisis. The “something” being, as Psalm 2 sets out, the clash of wills between God and man – there being only one victor.

Conclusion

The use by the Apostles of Isa 37:16 before applying the words of Psalm 2 would seem to strengthen the links between Hezekiah and Psalm 2 and provide vindication for those who argue that Hezekiah was more than just familiar with the opus of Davidic psalms.

Indeed, it would seem that Hezekiah was intimate with all his Father’s psalms and drew strength and inspiration from the works of his illustrious Father, and in particular the comforts of Psalm 2.

We are therefore of the view that the use of Psalm 2 by Hezekiah is well grounded.

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