Psalms 2
1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
(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 set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, [saying],
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 bands asunder, and cast away their cords 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 sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
But Yahweh, the one who sits [on his throne] in heaven, laughs [at them]; he ridicules those rulers.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
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 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
[Yahweh says], “I have installed my king on Zion, my sacred hill [in Jerusalem].”
7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto 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 shall give [thee] the heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the uttermost 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 break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash 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 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
So then, you kings and other rulers on the earth, act wisely! [Heed what Yahweh is] warning you!
11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Serve Yahweh, fervently revering him; Rejoice [about what he has done for you], but tremble before him!
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish [from] the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all they that put their 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].
