Psalms 2
1 Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things?
(Why do the [leaders of] nations rage [against God]?/It is foolish for the nations to be angry [with God]) [RHQ]. (Why do people plan to rebel [against God] even though it is in vain?/It is useless for people to plan to rebel [against God]) [RHQ]!
2 The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together, against the Lord and against his Christ.
The kings of the nations prepare to revolt; the rulers plot together [to fight] against Yahweh and against his chosen king.
3 Let us break their bonds asunder: and let us cast away their yoke from us.
They shout, “We should free ourselves from their control [MET]; we should not let them rule over us any longer!”
4 He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh at them: and the Lord shall deride them.
But Yahweh, the one who sits [on his throne] in heaven, laughs [at them]; he ridicules those rulers.
5 Then shall he speak to them in his anger, and trouble them in his rage.
Then, because he is angry with them, he rebukes them. He causes them to be terrified when [they realize] that he will furiously punish them.
6 But I am appointed king by him over Sion his holy mountain, preaching his commandment.
[Yahweh says], “I have installed my king on Zion, my sacred hill [in Jerusalem].”
7 The Lord hath said to me: Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee.
[And his king says], “I will proclaim what Yahweh has decreed. He said to me, ‘[It is as though] you are my son; today I have declared to everyone that [it is as though] [MET] I am your father.
8 Ask of me, and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Ask me to give you the nations, so that they belong to you [to rule over them permanently], and I will give them to you. [Even] the most remote nations will be yours.
9 Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, and shalt break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
You will defeat them completely [MET]; you will [destroy them like people] smash a clay pot with an iron rod [SIM].’”
10 And now, O ye kings, understand: receive instruction, you that judge the earth.
So then, you kings and other rulers on the earth, act wisely! [Heed what Yahweh is] warning you!
11 Serve ye the Lord with fear: and rejoice unto him with trembling.
Serve Yahweh, fervently revering him; Rejoice [about what he has done for you], but tremble before him!
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.
Bow down humbly before his son! If you do not do that, Yahweh will be angry, and he will suddenly get rid of you. Do not forget that he can very quickly show that he is very angry! But he is very pleased with all those who request him to protect them [MET].
