Psalm 2
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Psalm 2
Coronation of the Son
1 Why(A) do the nations rebel[a](B)
and the peoples plot in vain?(C)
2 The kings of the earth take their stand,(D)
and the rulers conspire together
against the Lord and His Anointed One:[b](E)
3 “Let us tear off their chains
and free ourselves from their restraints.”[c](F)
4 The One enthroned[d] in heaven laughs;
the Lord ridicules them.(G)
5 Then He speaks to them in His anger
and terrifies them in His wrath:(H)
6 “I have consecrated My King[e]
on Zion, My holy mountain.”(I)
7 I will declare the Lord’s decree:
He said to Me, “You are My Son;[f]
today I have become Your[g] Father.(J)
8 Ask of Me,
and I will make the nations Your[h] inheritance
and the ends of the earth Your[i] possession.(K)
9 You will break[j] them with a rod of iron;
You[k] will shatter them like pottery.”[l](L)
10 So now, kings, be wise;
receive instruction, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with reverential awe
and rejoice with trembling.(M)
12 Pay homage to[m] the Son or He[n] will be angry
and you will perish in your rebellion,[o](N)
for His[p] anger may ignite at any moment.(O)
All those who take refuge in Him[q] are happy.(P)
Footnotes
- Psalm 2:1 Or conspire, or rage
- Psalm 2:2 Or anointed one
- Psalm 2:3 Lit and throw their ropes from us
- Psalm 2:4 Lit who sits
- Psalm 2:6 Or king
- Psalm 2:7 Or me, “You are My son
- Psalm 2:7 Or your
- Psalm 2:8 Or your
- Psalm 2:8 Or your
- Psalm 2:9 LXX, Syr, Tg read shepherd
- Psalm 2:9 Or you
- Psalm 2:9 Lit a potter’s vessel
- Psalm 2:12 Lit Kiss
- Psalm 2:12 Or son, otherwise he
- Psalm 2:12 Lit perish way
- Psalm 2:12 Or his
- Psalm 2:12 Or him
Psalm 2
English Standard Version
The Reign of the Lord's Anointed
2 (A)Why do (B)the nations rage[a]
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his (C)Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us (D)burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
4 He who (E)sits in the heavens (F)laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his (G)wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 “As for me, I have (H)set my King
on (I)Zion, my (J)holy hill.”
7 I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, (K)“You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and (L)the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You shall (M)break[b] them with (N)a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like (O)a potter's vessel.”
Psalm 2
New King James Version
The Messiah’s Triumph and Kingdom(A)
2 Why (B)do the [a]nations [b]rage,
And the people plot a [c]vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the (C)rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His (D)Anointed,[d] saying,
3 “Let (E)us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens (F)shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
6 “Yet I have [e]set My King
[f]On My holy hill of Zion.”
7 “I will declare the [g]decree:
The Lord has said to Me,
(G)‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
9 (H)You shall [h]break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”
10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
12 [i]Kiss the Son, lest [j]He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When (I)His wrath is kindled but a little.
(J)Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
Footnotes
- Psalm 2:1 Gentiles
- Psalm 2:1 throng tumultuously
- Psalm 2:1 worthless or empty
- Psalm 2:2 Christ, Commissioned One, Heb. Messiah
- Psalm 2:6 Lit. installed
- Psalm 2:6 Lit. Upon Zion, the hill of My holiness
- Psalm 2:7 Or decree of the Lord: He said to Me
- Psalm 2:9 So with MT, Tg.; LXX, Syr., Vg. rule (cf. Rev. 2:27)
- Psalm 2:12 LXX, Vg. Embrace discipline; Tg. Receive instruction
- Psalm 2:12 LXX the Lord
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The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
