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Psalm 2

Why do the nations gather together?
    Why do their people devise useless plots?
Kings take their stands.
    Rulers make plans together
        against Yahweh and against his Mashiach[a] by saying,
            “Let’s break apart their chains
                and shake off their ropes.”

The one enthroned in heaven laughs.
    Adonay makes fun of them.
Then he speaks to them in his anger.
    In his burning anger he terrifies them by saying,
        “I have installed my own king on Zion, my holy mountain.”

I will announce Yahweh’s decree.
    He said to me:
    “You are my Son.
        Today I have become your Father.
            Ask me, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance
                and the ends of the earth as your own possession.
You will break them with an iron scepter.
    You will smash them to pieces like pottery.”

10 Now, you kings, act wisely.
    Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
11 Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, or he will become angry
    and you will die on your way
        because his anger will burst into flames.
    Blessed is everyone who takes refuge in him.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 2:2 Or “anointed one.”

Psalm 2

Why do the nations conspire[a]
    and the peoples plot(A) in vain?
The kings(B) of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
    against the Lord and against his anointed,(C) saying,
“Let us break their chains(D)
    and throw off their shackles.”(E)

The One enthroned(F) in heaven laughs;(G)
    the Lord scoffs at them.
He rebukes them in his anger(H)
    and terrifies them in his wrath,(I) saying,
“I have installed my king(J)
    on Zion,(K) my holy mountain.(L)

I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;(M)
    today I have become your father.(N)
Ask me,
    and I will make the nations(O) your inheritance,(P)
    the ends of the earth(Q) your possession.
You will break them with a rod of iron[b];(R)
    you will dash them to pieces(S) like pottery.(T)

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;(U)
    be warned, you rulers(V) of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear(W)
    and celebrate his rule(X) with trembling.(Y)
12 Kiss his son,(Z) or he will be angry
    and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath(AA) can flare up in a moment.
    Blessed(AB) are all who take refuge(AC) in him.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 2:1 Hebrew; Septuagint rage
  2. Psalm 2:9 Or will rule them with an iron scepter (see Septuagint and Syriac)