Psalm 2 has a pattern: in the four sections that comprise the psalm, each of the first three sections ends with someone speaking. The earthly kings speak in v. 3. YHWH speaks in v. 6. The anointed king speaks in vv. 7–9.
Then the fourth section ends — and no one speaks.
The psalmist issues a warning and an ultimatum. The psalm closes. We do not hear whether the kings submitted. Scriptura notes this silence as a deliberate poetic choice: the expected fourth speech never comes.
We are left wondering what the nations will say in response. But perhaps the psalmist is expanding his question beyond the nations to us as well. Will we accept YHWH’s discipline and serve him with fear and trembling? Will we submit to the son and take refuge in him? The silence of this fourth section creates a suspense that makes us consider our own response.
