Psalms 2
1 Therefore did the heathen rage, and the nations imagine 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 rulers gathered themselves 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 [saying], Let us break through their bonds, and 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 dwells in the heavens shall laugh them to scorn, and the Lord shall mock 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 fury.
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 have been made king by him on Sion his holy mountain,
[Yahweh says], “I have installed my king on Zion, my sacred hill [in Jerusalem].”
7 declaring the ordinance of the Lord: the Lord said to me, You are my Son, today have I begotten you.
[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 you the heathen [for] your inheritance, and the ends of the earth [for] your 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 You shall rule them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them in pieces as 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 Now therefore understand, you kings: be instructed, all 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 the Lord with fear, and rejoice in him with trembling.
Serve Yahweh, fervently revering him; Rejoice [about what he has done for you], but tremble before him!
12 Accept correction, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and you should perish from the righteous way: whenever his wrath shall be suddenly kindled, 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].
