«You are My Son»: The Reception History of Psalm 2 in Early Judaism and the Early Church (Contributions to Biblical Exegesis & Theology)

This award-winning study characterizes Psalm 2 as a messianic-theocratic psalm. Early Jewish literature emphasises the eschatological and sapiential applications of the psalm more than the messianic interpretation. However, surprisingly, we come across the same text combinations that later emerge in New Testament literature: Christian scholarship obviously stood in a long tradition. It is shown how the relevant New Testament texts focus on the messianic interpretation of Psalm 2, especially of the words: "You are my Son". In the post-Easter confusion it functions as an argument to show that the crucified Jesus nevertheless was the Son of God. Luke apologetically explains how in this psalm the Messiah, identified earlier as the despised king, is also called "My Son" by God himself. Mark elaborates this idea for catechetical purposes: Jesus already was the Son of God at the time of his baptism and transfiguration. Finally, Hebrews uses Ps.2 to prove the pre-existence of Jesus. Thus, this volume forms a welcome addition to the existing literature on this topic.