Psalms 2

1 Why do the nations rage, and the peoples meditate vain things?

Wherefore do nations rage, and people meditate a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against Jehovah, and against his anointed, saying,

The kings of the earth raise themselves up, and rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed:

3 Let us break their bonds apart, and cast away their cords from us.

“Let us break asunder their bands, and cast away from us their cords.”

4 He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision.

He who dwelleth in the heavens will laugh: the Lord will hold them in derision.

5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and vex them in his great displeasure.

Then will he speak unto them in his anger, and in his displeasure will he terrify them.

6 Yet I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

[Saying, ] Yet have I appointed my king upon Zion my holy mount.

7 I will tell of the decree. Jehovah said to me, Thou are my Son, this day I have begotten thee.

I will announce the decree, the Lord hath said unto me, “My son art thou: I have indeed this day begotten thee.

8 Ask of me, and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance, and the outermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

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

9 Thou shall break them with a rod of iron, thou shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; like a potter's vessel shalt thou dash them in pieces.”

10 Now therefore be wise, O ye kings. Be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

And now, O ye kings, be wise: take warning, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve Jehovah with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.

Do homage to the son, lest he be angry, and ye be lost on the way; for his wrath is so speedily kindled. Happy are all they that put their trust in him.