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Why are the nations in tumultuous agitation, and [why] do the peoples meditate a vain thing?

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the princes plot together, against Jehovah and against his anointed:

Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their cords from us!

He that dwelleth in the heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall have them in derision.

Then will he speak to them in his anger, and in his fierce displeasure will he terrify them:

And *I* have anointed my king upon Zion, the hill of my holiness.

I will declare the decree: Jehovah hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; *I* this day have begotten thee.

Ask of me, and I will give thee nations for an inheritance, and for thy possession the ends of the earth:

Thou shalt break them with a sceptre of iron, as a potter's vessel thou shalt dash them in pieces.

10 And now, O kings, be ye wise, be admonished, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve Jehovah with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, though his anger burn but a little. Blessed are all who have their trust in him.

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)