Psalms 2

1 Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things?

Why are the nations so violently moved, and why are the thoughts of the people so foolish?

2 The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together, against the Lord and against his Christ.

The kings of the earth have taken their place, and the rulers are fixed in their purpose, against the Lord, and against the king of his selection, saying,

3 Let us break their bonds asunder: and let us cast away their yoke from us.

Let their chains be broken, and their cords taken from off us.

4 He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh at them: and the Lord shall deride them.

Then he whose seat is in the heavens will be laughing: the Lord will make sport of them.

5 Then shall he speak to them in his anger, and trouble them in his rage.

Then will his angry words come to their ears, and by his wrath they will be troubled:

6 But I am appointed king by him over Sion his holy mountain, preaching his commandment.

But I have put my king on my holy hill of Zion.

7 The Lord hath said to me: Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee.

I will make clear the Lord's decision: he has said to me, You are my son, this day have I given you being.

8 Ask of me, and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Make your request to me, and I will give you the nations for your heritage, and the farthest limits of the earth will be under your hand.

9 Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, and shalt break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

They will be ruled by you with a rod of iron; they will be broken like a potter's vessel.

10 And now, O ye kings, understand: receive instruction, you that judge the earth.

So now be wise, you kings: take his teaching, you judges of the earth.

11 Serve ye the Lord with fear: and rejoice unto him with trembling.

Give worship to the Lord with fear, kissing his feet and giving him honour,

12 Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and you perish from the just way. When his wrath shall be kindled in a short time, blessed are all they that trust in him.

For fear that he may be angry, causing destruction to come on you, because he is quickly moved to wrath. Happy are all those who put their faith in him.