Psalm 2-4
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.
The Lord Helps His Troubled People
A Psalm of David (K)when he fled from Absalom his son.
3 Lord, how they have increased who trouble me!
Many are they who rise up against me.
2 Many are they who say of me,
“There is no help for him in God.” Selah
3 But You, O Lord, are (L)a shield [k]for me,
My glory and (M)the One who lifts up my head.
4 I cried to the Lord with my voice,
And (N)He heard me from His (O)holy hill. Selah
5 (P)I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.
6 (Q)I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around.
7 Arise, O Lord;
Save me, O my God!
(R)For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;
You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 (S)Salvation belongs to the Lord.
Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah
The Safety of the Faithful
To the [l]Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.
4 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in my distress;
[m]Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
2 How long, O you sons of men,
Will you turn my glory to shame?
How long will you love worthlessness
And seek falsehood? Selah
3 But know that (T)the Lord has [n]set apart for Himself him who is godly;
The Lord will hear when I call to Him.
4 (U)Be[o] angry, and do not sin.
(V)Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah
5 Offer (W)the sacrifices of righteousness,
And (X)put your trust in the Lord.
6 There are many who say,
“Who will show us any good?”
(Y)Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
7 You have put (Z)gladness in my heart,
More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
8 (AA)I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
(AB)For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
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
- Psalm 3:3 Lit. around
- Psalm 4:1 Choir Director
- Psalm 4:1 Be gracious to me
- Psalm 4:3 Many Heb. mss., LXX, Tg., Vg. made wonderful
- Psalm 4:4 Lit. Tremble or Be agitated
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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