The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed.

Why are (A)the [a]nations in an uproar
And the peoples (B)devising a vain thing?
The (C)kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
(D)Against the Lord 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)scoffs at them.
Then He will speak to them in His (I)anger
And (J)terrify 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 the Lord:
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 very (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 [i]earthenware.’”

10 Now therefore, O kings, (S)show discernment;
Take warning, O [j]judges of the earth.
11 [k]Worship the Lord with [l](T)reverence
And rejoice with (U)trembling.
12 [m]Do homage to (V)the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For (W)His wrath may [n]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: The Lord said to Me
  6. Psalm 2:8 Or Gentiles
  7. Psalm 2:9 Another reading is rule
  8. Psalm 2:9 Or scepter or staff
  9. Psalm 2:9 Lit potter’s ware
  10. Psalm 2:10 Or leaders
  11. Psalm 2:11 Or Serve
  12. Psalm 2:11 Or fear
  13. Psalm 2:12 Lit Kiss; some ancient versions read Do homage purely, or, Lay hold of instruction
  14. Psalm 2:12 Or quickly, suddenly, easily

Psalm 2

Why do the nations conspire[a]
    and the peoples plot(A) in vain?
The kings(B) of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
    against the Lord and against his anointed,(C) saying,
“Let us break their chains(D)
    and throw off their shackles.”(E)

The One enthroned(F) in heaven laughs;(G)
    the Lord scoffs at them.
He rebukes them in his anger(H)
    and terrifies them in his wrath,(I) saying,
“I have installed my king(J)
    on Zion,(K) my holy mountain.(L)

I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;(M)
    today I have become your father.(N)
Ask me,
    and I will make the nations(O) your inheritance,(P)
    the ends of the earth(Q) your possession.
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.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 2:1 Hebrew; Septuagint rage
  2. Psalm 2:9 Or will rule them with an iron scepter (see Septuagint and Syriac)