Psalm 2
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)
5 Then he speaks to them in his anger,
in his wrath he terrifies them:
6 “I myself have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
7 I will proclaim the decree of the Lord,
he said to me, “You are my son;
today I have begotten you.(E)
8 Ask it of me,
and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
and, as your possession, the ends of the earth.
9 With an iron rod you will shepherd them,
like a potter’s vessel you will shatter them.”(F)
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.(G)
Blessed are all who take refuge in him!
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.
Salmi 2
La Nuova Diodati
2 Perché tumultuano le nazioni, e i popoli tramano cose vane?
2 I re della terra si ritrovano e i principi si consigliano insieme contro l'Eterno e contro il suo Unto,
3 dicendo: «Rompiamo i loro legami e sbarazziamoci delle loro funi».
4 Colui che siede nei cieli riderà, il Signore si farà beffe di loro.
5 Allora parlerà loro nella sua ira, e nel suo grande sdegno li spaventerà,
6 e dirà: «Ho insediato il mio re sopra Sion, il mio santo monte.
7 Dichiarerò il decreto dell'Eterno. Egli mi ha detto: "Tu sei mio figlio oggi io ti ho generato.
8 Chiedimi, e io ti darò le nazioni come tua eredità e le estremità della terra per tua possessione.
9 Tu le spezzerai con una verga di ferro, le frantumerai come un vaso d'argilla"».
10 Ora dunque, o re, siate savi, accettate la correzione, o giudici della terra.
11 Servite l'Eterno con timore e gioite con tremore.
12 Sottomettetevi al Figlio, perché non si adiri e non periate per via, perché la sua ira può accendersi in un momento. Beati tutti coloro che si rifugiano in lui.
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.
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