Psalm 2
1Why do the nations plan evil together?
Why do they make useless plans?
2The kings of the earth rise up against the Lord.
The rulers of the earth join together against his anointed king.
3“Let us break free from their chains,” they say.
“Let us throw off their ropes.”
4The God who sits on his throne in heaven laughs.
The Lord makes fun of those rulers and their plans.
5When he is angry, he warns them.
When his anger blazes out, he terrifies them.
6He says to them,
“I have placed my king on my holy mountain of Zion.”
7I will announce what the Lord has promised.
He said to me, “You are my son.
Today I have become your father.
8Ask me, and I will give the nations to you.
All nations on earth will belong to you.
9You will break them with an iron scepter.
You will smash them to pieces like clay pots.”
10Kings, be wise!
Rulers of the earth, be warned!
11Serve the Lord and have respect for him.
Celebrate his rule with trembling.
12Obey the son completely, or he will be angry.
Your way of life will lead to your death.
His anger can blaze out at any moment.
Blessed are all those who go to him for safety.
Psalm 2
1Why do the nations conspire2:1 Hebrew; Septuagint rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
2The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
3“Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”
4The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6“I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
7I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have become your father.
8Ask me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9You will break them with a rod of iron2:9 Or will rule them with an iron scepter (see Septuagint and Syriac);
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
10Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
