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Psalm 2

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?(A)

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,

Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.(B)

Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.(C)

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.(D)

The Reign of Yahweh’s Anointed

Why do (A)the [a]nations rage
And the peoples (B)meditate on a vain thing?
The (C)kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
(D)Against Yahweh and against His [b](E)Anointed, saying,
“Let us (F)tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”

He who [c]sits in the heavens (G)laughs,
The Lord (H)mocks them.
Then He speaks to them in His (I)anger
And (J)terrifies them in His fury, saying,
“But as for Me, I have [d]installed (K)My King
Upon Zion, (L)My holy mountain.”

“I will surely tell of the [e]decree of Yahweh:
He said to Me, ‘You are (M)My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
Ask of Me, and (N)I will surely give (O)the [f]nations as Your inheritance,
And the (P)ends of the earth as Your possession.
You shall [g](Q)break them with a [h]rod of iron,
You shall (R)shatter them like a potter’s vessel.’”

10 So now, O kings, (S)show insight;
Take warning, O [i]judges of the earth.
11 Serve Yahweh with (T)fear
And rejoice with (U)trembling.
12 [j]Kiss (V)the Son, lest He become angry, and you perish in the way,
For (W)His [k]wrath may [l]soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who (X)take refuge in Him!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 2:1 Or Gentiles
  2. Psalm 2:2 Or Messiah
  3. Psalm 2:4 Or is enthroned
  4. Psalm 2:6 Or consecrated
  5. Psalm 2:7 Or decree: Yahweh said to Me
  6. Psalm 2:8 Or Gentiles
  7. Psalm 2:9 Or rule
  8. Psalm 2:9 Or scepter, staff
  9. Psalm 2:10 Or leaders
  10. Psalm 2:12 Some ancient versions Do homage purely, Lay hold of instruction
  11. Psalm 2:12 Or anger, cf. 2:5
  12. Psalm 2:12 Or quickly, easily

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,

Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.