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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

Psalm 2

Why are the nations so angry?
    Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
    the rulers plot together
against the Lord
    and against his anointed one.
“Let us break their chains,” they cry,
    “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”

But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
    The Lord scoffs at them.
Then in anger he rebukes them,
    terrifying them with his fierce fury.
For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne
    in Jerusalem,[a] on my holy mountain.”

The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:
“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son.[b]
    Today I have become your Father.[c]
Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
    the whole earth as your possession.
You will break[d] them with an iron rod
    and smash them like clay pots.’”

10 Now then, you kings, act wisely!
    Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
11 Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
12 Submit to God’s royal son,[e] or he will become angry,
    and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—
for his anger flares up in an instant.
    But what joy for all who take refuge in him!

Footnotes

  1. 2:6 Hebrew on Zion.
  2. 2:7a Or Son; also in 2:12.
  3. 2:7b Or Today I reveal you as my son.
  4. 2:9 Greek version reads rule. Compare Rev 2:27.
  5. 2:12 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.