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Psalm 2

God’s Promise to His Anointed

Why do the nations conspire
    and the peoples plot in vain?(A)
The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the Lord and his anointed, saying,(B)
“Let us burst their bonds apart
    and cast their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens laughs;
    the Lord has them in derision.(C)
Then he will speak to them in his wrath
    and terrify them in his fury, saying,(D)
“I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.”(E)

I will tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to me, “You are my son;
    today I have begotten you.(F)
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage
    and the ends of the earth your possession.(G)
You shall break them with a rod of iron
    and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”(H)

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
    be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear;
with trembling(I) 12     kiss his feet,[a]
or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way,
    for his wrath is quickly kindled.

Happy are all who take refuge in him.(J)

Footnotes

  1. 2.12 Cn: Meaning of Heb of 2.11b and 12a is uncertain

Psalm 2

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

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

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

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