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Psalm 2:1-4
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Psalm 2:1-4
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Psalm 2[a]
A Psalm for a Royal Coronation
1 Why do the nations protest
and the peoples conspire in vain?(A)
2 Kings on earth rise up
and princes plot together
against the Lord and against his anointed one:[b](B)
3 “Let us break their shackles
and cast off their chains from us!”(C)
4 The one enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord derides them,(D)
Footnotes
- Psalm 2 A royal Psalm. To rebellious kings (Ps 2:1–3) God responds vigorously (Ps 2:4–6). A speaker proclaims the divine decree (in the legal adoption language of the day), making the Israelite king the earthly representative of God (Ps 2:7–9) and warning kings to obey (Ps 2:10–11). The Psalm has a messianic meaning for the Church; the New Testament understands it of Christ (Acts 4:25–27; 13:33; Hb 1:5).
- 2:2 Anointed: in Hebrew mashiah, “anointed”; in Greek christos, whence English Messiah and Christ. In Israel kings (Jgs 9:8; 1 Sm 9:16; 16:12–13) and high priests (Lv 8:12; Nm 3:3) received the power of their office through anointing.
Psalm 2:1-4
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Psalm 2:1-4
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
God’s Promise to His Anointed
2 [a]Why do the nations conspire,
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us burst their bonds asunder,
and cast their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord has them in derision.
Footnotes
- 2 Together with Ps 110 a royal, Messianic psalm, often applied to Jesus as Messiah in the New Testament.
Psalm 2:1-4
Good News Translation
Psalm 2:1-4
Good News Translation
God's Chosen King
2 (A)Why do the nations plan rebellion?
Why do people make their useless plots?
2 Their kings revolt,
their rulers plot together against the Lord
and against the king he chose.
3 “Let us free ourselves from their rule,” they say;
“let us throw off their control.”
4 From his throne in heaven the Lord laughs
and mocks their feeble plans.
Psalm 2:1-4
New American Standard Bible
Psalm 2:1-4
New American Standard Bible
The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed.
2 Why are (A)the [a]nations restless
And the peoples (B)plotting in vain?
2 The (C)kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers conspire together
(D)Against the Lord and against His [b](E)Anointed, saying,
3 “Let’s (F)tear their shackles apart
And throw their ropes away from us!”
Psalm 2:1-4
New International Version
Psalm 2:1-4
New International Version
Psalm 2
Footnotes
- Psalm 2:1 Hebrew; Septuagint rage
Psalm 2:10-11
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Psalm 2:10-11
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
10 And now, kings, give heed;
take warning, judges on earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear;
exult with trembling,
Accept correction
lest he become angry and you perish along the way
when his anger suddenly blazes up.(A)
Blessed are all who take refuge in him!
Psalm 2:10-12
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Psalm 2:10-12
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
with trembling 12 kiss his feet,[a]
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way;
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Footnotes
- Psalm 2:12 Cn: The Hebrew of 11b and 12a is uncertain
Psalm 2:10-12
Good News Translation
Psalm 2:10-12
Good News Translation
10 Now listen to this warning, you kings;
learn this lesson, you rulers of the world:
11 Serve the Lord with fear;
tremble 12 and bow down to him;[a]
or else his anger will be quickly aroused,
and you will suddenly die.
Happy are all who go to him for protection.
Footnotes
- Psalm 2:12 Probable text tremble … him; some other possible texts with trembling kiss his feet and with trembling kiss the Son and tremble and kiss the mighty one; Hebrew unclear.
Psalm 2:10-12
New American Standard Bible
Psalm 2:10-12
New American Standard Bible
10 Now then, you kings, (A)use insight;
Let yourselves be instructed, you [a]judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with [b](B)reverence
And rejoice with (C)trembling.
12 [c]Kiss (D)the Son, that He not be angry and you perish on the way,
For (E)His wrath may be kindled quickly.
How blessed are all who (F)take refuge in Him!
Footnotes
- Psalm 2:10 Or leaders
- Psalm 2:11 Or fear
- Psalm 2:12 I.e., probably kiss the feet of the Son
Psalm 2:10-12
New International Version
Psalm 2:10-12
New International Version
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;(A)
be warned, you rulers(B) of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear(C)
and celebrate his rule(D) with trembling.(E)
12 Kiss his son,(F) or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath(G) can flare up in a moment.
Blessed(H) are all who take refuge(I) in him.
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Good News Translation (GNT) 
Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. For more information about GNT, visit www.bibles.com and www.gnt.bible.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.