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Why do the nations rage,
    and the peoples plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth take a stand,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against Yahweh, and against his Anointed,[a] saying,
“Let’s break their bonds apart,
    and cast their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens will laugh.
    The Lord[b] will have them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his anger,
    and terrify them in his wrath:
“Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”
    I will tell of the decree:
Yahweh said to me, “You are my son.
    Today I have become your father.
Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance,
    the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron.
    You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
10 Now therefore be wise, you kings.
    Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve Yahweh with fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
12 Give sincere homage to the Son,[c] lest he be angry, and you perish on the way,
    for his wrath will soon be kindled.
    Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.

Footnotes

  1. 2:2 The word “Anointed” is the same as the word for “Messiah” or “Christ”
  2. 2:4 The word translated “Lord” is “Adonai.”
  3. 2:12 or, Kiss the son

Psalm 2

Why do the nations assemble with commotion [uproar and confusion of voices], and why do the people imagine (meditate upon and devise) an empty scheme?

The kings of the earth take their places; the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and His Anointed One (the Messiah, the Christ). They say,(A)

Let us break Their bands [of restraint] asunder and cast Their cords [of control] from us.

He Who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision [and in supreme contempt He mocks them].

He speaks to them in His deep anger and troubles (terrifies and confounds) them in His displeasure and fury, saying,

Yet have I anointed (installed and placed) My King [firmly] on My holy hill of Zion.

I will declare the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, You are My Son; this day [I declare] I have begotten You.(B)

Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations as Your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth as Your possession.

You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like potters’ ware.(C)

10 Now therefore, O you kings, act wisely; be instructed and warned, O you rulers of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with reverent awe and worshipful fear; rejoice and be in high spirits with trembling [lest you displease Him].

12 Kiss the Son [pay homage to Him in purity], lest He be angry and you perish in the way, for soon shall His wrath be kindled. O blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are all those who seek refuge and put their trust in Him!