Psalm 2

Common English Bible

Psalm 2

2 Why do the nations rant?
    Why do the peoples rave uselessly?
²The earth’s rulers take their stand;
    the leaders scheme together
    against the Lord and
    against his anointed one.
³        “Come!” they say.
        “We will tear off their ropes
        and throw off their chains!”
⁴The one who rules in heaven laughs;
    my Lord makes fun of them.
⁵But then God speaks to them angrily;
    then he terrifies them with his fury:
⁶        “I hereby appoint my king on Zion,
        my holy mountain!”

⁷I will announce the Lord’s decision:
    He said to me, “You are my son,
        today I have become your father.
⁸Just ask me,
    and I will make the nations your possession;
    the far corners of the earth will be your property.
⁹You will smash them with an iron rod;
    you will shatter them like a pottery jar.”

¹⁰So kings, wise up!
    Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
¹¹Serve the Lord reverently—
    trembling, ¹²kiss 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

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

Psalm 26

Common English Bible

Psalm 26

Of David.

26 Establish justice for me, Lord,
    because I have walked with integrity.
    I’ve trusted the Lord without wavering.
²Examine me, Lord; put me to the test!
    Purify^[a] my mind^[b] and my heart.
³Because your faithful love is right in front of me—
    I walk in your truth!
⁴I don’t spend time with people up to no good;
    I don’t keep company with liars.
⁵I detest the company of evildoers,
    and I don’t sit with wicked people.
⁶I wash my hands—they are innocent!
    I walk all around your altar, Lord,
⁷        proclaiming out loud my thanks,
        declaring all your wonderful deeds!
⁸I love the beauty^[c] of your house, Lord;
    I love the place where your glory resides.

⁹Don’t gather me^[d] up with the sinners,
    taking my life along with violent people
¹⁰    in whose hands are evil schemes,
    whose strong hands are full of bribes.
¹¹But me? I walk with integrity.
    Save me! Have mercy on me!