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Psalm 2
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Psalm 2
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Psalm 2[a]
A Psalm for a Royal Coronation
1 Why do the nations protest
and the peoples conspire in vain?(A)
2 Kings on earth rise up
and princes plot together
against the Lord and against his anointed one:[b](B)
3 “Let us break their shackles
and cast off their chains from us!”(C)
4 The one enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord derides them,(D)
5 Then he speaks to them in his anger,
in his wrath he terrifies them:
6 “I myself have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
7 I will proclaim the decree of the Lord,
he said to me, “You are my son;
today I have begotten you.(E)
8 Ask it of me,
and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
and, as your possession, the ends of the earth.
9 With an iron rod you will shepherd them,
like a potter’s vessel you will shatter them.”(F)
10 And now, kings, give heed;
take warning, judges on earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear;
exult with trembling,
Accept correction
lest he become angry and you perish along the way
when his anger suddenly blazes up.(G)
Blessed are all who take refuge in him!
Footnotes
- Psalm 2 A royal Psalm. To rebellious kings (Ps 2:1–3) God responds vigorously (Ps 2:4–6). A speaker proclaims the divine decree (in the legal adoption language of the day), making the Israelite king the earthly representative of God (Ps 2:7–9) and warning kings to obey (Ps 2:10–11). The Psalm has a messianic meaning for the Church; the New Testament understands it of Christ (Acts 4:25–27; 13:33; Hb 1:5).
- 2:2 Anointed: in Hebrew mashiah, “anointed”; in Greek christos, whence English Messiah and Christ. In Israel kings (Jgs 9:8; 1 Sm 9:16; 16:12–13) and high priests (Lv 8:12; Nm 3:3) received the power of their office through anointing.
Psalm 2
New International Version
Psalm 2
New International Version
Psalm 2
1 Why do the nations conspire[a]
and the peoples plot(A) in vain?
2 The kings(B) of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed,(C) saying,
3 “Let us break their chains(D)
and throw off their shackles.”(E)
4 The One enthroned(F) in heaven laughs;(G)
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger(H)
and terrifies them in his wrath,(I) saying,
6 “I have installed my king(J)
on Zion,(K) my holy mountain.(L)”
7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my son;(M)
today I have become your father.(N)
8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations(O) your inheritance,(P)
the ends of the earth(Q) your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron[b];(R)
you will dash them to pieces(S) like pottery.(T)”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;(U)
be warned, you rulers(V) of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear(W)
and celebrate his rule(X) with trembling.(Y)
12 Kiss his son,(Z) or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath(AA) can flare up in a moment.
Blessed(AB) are all who take refuge(AC) in him.
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
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