Psalm 2
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Psalm 2
God’s Promise to His Anointed
1 Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?(A)
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and his anointed, saying,(B)
3 “Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord has them in derision.(C)
5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath
and terrify them in his fury, saying,(D)
6 “I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.”(E)
7 I will tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have begotten you.(F)
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage
and the ends of the earth your possession.(G)
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”(H)
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear;
with trembling(I) 12 kiss his feet,[a]
or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Happy are all who take refuge in him.(J)
Psalm 2
International Standard Version
The Nations and God’s Anointed
2 Why are the nations in an uproar,
and their people involved in a vain plot?
2 As the kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and his anointed one, they say,[a]
3 “Let us tear off their shackles from us,[b]
and cast off their chains.”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 In his anger he rebukes them,
and in his wrath he terrifies them:
6 “I have set my king on Zion,
my holy mountain.”
The Anointed King Speaks
7 Let me announce the decree of the Lord
that he told me:
“You are my son,
today I have become your father.
8 Ask of me, and I will give you
the nations as your inheritance,
the ends of the earth as your possession.
9 You will break them with an iron rod,
you will shatter them like pottery.”
10 Therefore, kings, act wisely!
Earthly rulers, be warned!
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss[c] the son before he becomes[d] angry,
and you die where you stand.[e]
Indeed, his wrath can flare up quickly.
How blessed are those who take refuge in him.
Footnotes
- Psalm 2:2 The Heb. lacks say
- Psalm 2:3 The Heb. lacks from us
- Psalm 2:12 Or Worship
- Psalm 2:12 Or son lest he become
- Psalm 2:12 Lit. you perish in the way
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