Psalm 2

Coronation of the Son

Why(A) do the nations rebel[a](B)
and the peoples plot in vain?(C)
The kings of the earth take their stand,(D)
and the rulers conspire together
against the Lord and His Anointed One:[b](E)
“Let us tear off their chains
and free ourselves from their restraints.”[c](F)

The One enthroned[d] in heaven laughs;
the Lord ridicules them.(G)
Then He speaks to them in His anger
and terrifies them in His wrath:(H)
“I have consecrated My King[e]
on Zion, My holy mountain.”(I)

I will declare the Lord’s decree:
He said to Me, “You are My Son;[f]
today I have become Your[g] Father.(J)
Ask of Me,
and I will make the nations Your[h] inheritance
and the ends of the earth Your[i] possession.(K)
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

  1. Psalm 2:1 Or conspire, or rage
  2. Psalm 2:2 Or anointed one
  3. Psalm 2:3 Lit and throw their ropes from us
  4. Psalm 2:4 Lit who sits
  5. Psalm 2:6 Or king
  6. Psalm 2:7 Or me, “You are My son
  7. Psalm 2:7 Or your
  8. Psalm 2:8 Or your
  9. Psalm 2:8 Or your
  10. Psalm 2:9 LXX, Syr, Tg read shepherd
  11. Psalm 2:9 Or you
  12. Psalm 2:9 Lit a potter’s vessel
  13. Psalm 2:12 Lit Kiss
  14. Psalm 2:12 Or son, otherwise he
  15. Psalm 2:12 Lit perish way
  16. Psalm 2:12 Or his
  17. Psalm 2:12 Or him

The Nations and God’s Anointed

Why are the nations in an uproar,
    and their people involved in a vain plot?
As the kings of the earth take their stand
    and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and his anointed one, they say,[a]
“Let us tear off their shackles from us,[b]
    and cast off their chains.”

He who sits in the heavens laughs;
    the Lord scoffs at them.
In his anger he rebukes them,
    and in his wrath he terrifies them:
“I have set my king on Zion,
    my holy mountain.”

The Anointed King Speaks

Let me announce the decree of the Lord
    that he told me:

“You are my son,
    today I have become your father.
Ask of me, and I will give you
    the nations as your inheritance,
        the ends of the earth as your possession.
You will break them with an iron rod,
    you will shatter them like pottery.”

10 Therefore, kings, act wisely!
    Earthly rulers, be warned!
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss[c] the son before he becomes[d] angry,
    and you die where you stand.[e]
Indeed, his wrath can flare up quickly.

How blessed are those who take refuge in him.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 2:2 The Heb. lacks say
  2. Psalm 2:3 The Heb. lacks from us
  3. Psalm 2:12 Or Worship
  4. Psalm 2:12 Or son lest he become
  5. Psalm 2:12 Lit. you perish in the way