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Psalm 2

Why do the nations rant?
    Why do the peoples rave uselessly?
The earth’s rulers take their stand;
    the leaders scheme together
    against the Lord and
    against his anointed one.
        “Come!” they say.
        “We will tear off their ropes
        and throw off their chains!”
The one who rules in heaven laughs;
    my Lord makes fun of them.
But then God speaks to them angrily;
    then he terrifies them with his fury:
        “I hereby appoint my king on Zion,
        my holy mountain!”

I will announce the Lord’s decision:
    He said to me, “You are my son,
        today I have become your father.
Just ask me,
    and I will make the nations your possession;
    the far corners of the earth will be your property.
You will smash them with an iron rod;
    you will shatter them like a pottery jar.”

10 So kings, wise up!
    Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
11 Serve the Lord reverently—
    trembling, 12 kiss his feet[a]
        or else he will become angry,
        and your way will be destroyed
    because his anger ignites in an instant.

But all who take refuge in the Lord are truly happy!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 2:12 Correction; Heb uncertain; MT rejoice with trembling, kiss the son (but with son in Aram, not Heb)

Why do the heathen rage, and the people murmur in vain?

The kings of the Earth stand together. And the Princes are assembled together against the LORD, and against His Christ.

Let us break their bands and cast their cords from us.

But he who dwells in the heavens shall laugh. The LORD shall hold them in derision.

Then shall He speak to them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure, saying,

“I have set My King upon Zion, My Holy Mountain.”

“I will declare the decree. The LORD has said to me, ‘You are My Son. This day have I begotten You.

“Ask of Me, and I shall give You the heathen for Your inheritance, and the ends of the Earth for Your possession.

“You shall crush them with a scepter of iron; and break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”

10 Be wise now, therefore, you kings. Be learned, you judges of the Earth.

11 Serve the LORD in fear; and rejoice in trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish on the way when His wrath shall suddenly burn. Blessed are all who trust in Him. A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom.