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Why are the nations so angry?
    Why are the people making such foolish plans?
Their kings and leaders join together
    to fight against the Lord and his chosen king.[a]
They say, “Let’s rebel against them.
    Let’s break free from them!”

But the one who rules in heaven laughs at them.
    The Lord makes fun of them.
He speaks to them in anger,
    and it fills them with fear.
He says, “I have chosen this man to be king,
    and he will rule on Zion, my holy mountain.”

Let me tell you about the Lord’s agreement:
He said to me, “Today I have become your father,[b]
    and you are my son.
If you ask, I will give you the nations.
    Everyone on earth will be yours.
You will rule over them with great power.
    You will scatter your enemies like broken pieces of pottery!”

10 So, kings and rulers, be smart
    and learn this lesson.
11 Serve the Lord with fear and trembling.
12 Show that you are loyal to his son,[c]
    or the Lord will be angry and destroy you.
He is almost angry enough to do that now,
    but those who go to him for protection will be blessed.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 2:2 his chosen king Or “his anointed one.”
  2. Psalm 2:7 I have become your father Literally, “I fathered you.” Originally, this probably meant God was “adopting” the king as his son.
  3. Psalm 2:12 Show … his son Literally, “Kiss the son.”

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)