Psalms 2

1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

Why have the Gentiles been seething, and why have the people been pondering nonsense?

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

The kings of the earth have stood up, and the leaders have joined together as one, against the Lord and against his Christ:

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

“Let us shatter their chains and cast their yoke away from us.”

4 He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.

He who dwells in heaven will ridicule them, and the Lord will mock them.

5 Then shall he speak to them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

Then will he speak to them in his anger and trouble them with his fury.

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

Yet I have been appointed king by him over Zion, his holy mountain, preaching his precepts.

7 I will declare the decree: the LORD has said to me, You are my Son; this day have I begotten you.

The Lord has said to me: You are my son, this day have I begotten you.

8 Ask of me, and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.

Ask of me and I will give to you: the Gentiles for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession.

9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

You will rule them with an iron rod, and you will shatter them like a potter’s vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore, O you kings: be instructed, you judges of the earth.

And now, O kings, understand. Receive instruction, you who judge the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Serve the Lord in fear, and exult in him with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord might become angry, and you would perish from the way of the just. Though his wrath can flare up in a short time, blessed are all those who trust in him.