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Psalm 2
Complete Jewish Bible
Psalm 2
Complete Jewish Bible
2 Why are the nations in an uproar,
the peoples grumbling in vain?
2 The earth’s kings are taking positions,
leaders conspiring together,
against Adonai
and his anointed.
3 They cry, “Let’s break their fetters!
Let’s throw off their chains!”
4 He who sits in heaven laughs;
Adonai looks at them in derision.
5 Then in his anger he rebukes them,
terrifies them in his fury.
6 “I myself have installed my king
on Tziyon, my holy mountain.”
7 “I will proclaim the decree:
Adonai said to me,
‘You are my son;
today I became your father.
8 Ask of me, and I will make
the nations your inheritance;
the whole wide world
will be your possession.
9 You will break them with an iron rod,
shatter them like a clay pot.’”
10 Therefore, kings, be wise;
be warned, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve Adonai with fear;
rejoice, but with trembling.
12 Kiss the son, lest he be angry,
and you perish along the way,
when suddenly his anger blazes.
How blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 2
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
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.
Psalm 2
New International Version
Psalm 2
New International Version
Psalm 2
1 Why do the nations conspire[a]
and the peoples plot(A) in vain?
2 The kings(B) of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed,(C) saying,
3 “Let us break their chains(D)
and throw off their shackles.”(E)
4 The One enthroned(F) in heaven laughs;(G)
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger(H)
and terrifies them in his wrath,(I) saying,
6 “I have installed my king(J)
on Zion,(K) my holy mountain.(L)”
7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my son;(M)
today I have become your father.(N)
8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations(O) your inheritance,(P)
the ends of the earth(Q) your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron[b];(R)
you will dash them to pieces(S) like pottery.(T)”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;(U)
be warned, you rulers(V) of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear(W)
and celebrate his rule(X) with trembling.(Y)
12 Kiss his son,(Z) or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath(AA) can flare up in a moment.
Blessed(AB) are all who take refuge(AC) in him.
Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
Copyright © 1998 by David H. Stern. All rights reserved.
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.
New International Version (NIV) 
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