Psalm 2 first depicted the Israelite monarchy, but in a different context, what was its meaning in an early American context?escape religious prosecution. This obviously creates tension in the meaning the Psalm

This is the Psalm present in the earliest book printed in America around 1640. Many differences are present between these two versions. First, this Psalm came out with the first pilgrims, many of who were trying to has, as the first related to the monarchy. one of the first things i noticed was the replacement of some interesting words. First, in the first line, nations aroused has been changed to rage the Heathen furiously. This definitely brings a more hostile attitude, but almost immediately, in the second line conspire becomes consult and suddenly the mood lightens.

All, in all, the entire Psalm seems more hopeful. When i got to the 6th line, where the quotes appear, i find a major difference. In the book, it establishes that someone appointed their king. someone brought that king to power. In the 1640 version, the person speaking is the annoynted and they have their king. They are special, but their king is forever.

In line 8, in the original version, the narrator dictates that they will give nations for the king's estate. They will expand his rule, while in the American version states that they will give Heathens. The difference between conquering nations to only giving individuals is a huge deal. Also, as the pilgrims have just arrived in America, there is plenty of new land, and plenty of non believing people. The change in this context has definitely created a more hopeful, and less violent stance on converting.

All in all, i believe that this new American Psalm better represents a more hopeful version of its counterpart, and also a less violent version. This new version better reflected the views of the new settlers. It allows them individualism and freedom from the constricting religion of the past. This new Psalm embodies the more hopeful nature of the future, just like what the pilgrims were looking for, coming to the new world.