Augustine of Hippo

"Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the nations for Thine inheritance" [Psalm 2:8]. This has at once a temporal sense with reference to the Manhood which He took on Himself, who offered up Himself as a Sacrifice in the stead of all sacrifices, who also maketh intercession for us; so that the words, "ask of Me," may be referred to all this temporal dispensation, which has been instituted for mankind, namely, that the "nations" should be joined to the Name of Christ, and so be redeemed from death, and possessed by God. …

Exposition on Psalm 2 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Above was set forth the privilege of eternal generation, from which dominion over the nations belongs to Christ by hereditary right; here he shows how he acquired it through his merit. Here it should be considered that just as in natural things forms are infused according to the disposition of matter, so God bestows gratuitous gifts: Phil. 2: "It is God who works in us both to will and to accomplish," etc. And therefore he wills that we receive gifts by asking and praying. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗