Psalms 2

1 Wherefore do nations rage, and people meditate a vain thing?

Why are the nations in an uproar? And why do the peoples mutter in vain?

2 The kings of the earth raise themselves up, and rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed:

The kings of the earth stand up, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against His anointed:

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

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

4 He who dwelleth in the heavens will laugh: the Lord will hold them in derision.

He that sitteth in heaven laugheth, the Lord hath them in derision.

5 Then will he speak unto them in his anger, and in his displeasure will he terrify them.

Then will He speak unto them in His wrath, and affright them in His sore displeasure:

6 [Saying, ] Yet have I appointed my king upon Zion my holy mount.

'Truly it is I that have established My king upon Zion, My holy mountain.'

7 I will announce the decree, the Lord hath said unto me, “My son art thou: I have indeed this day begotten thee.

I will tell of the decree: the LORD said unto me: 'Thou art My son, this day have I begotten thee.

8 Ask it of me, and I will give thee nations for an inheritance, and for thy possession the uttermost ends of the earth.

Ask of Me, and I will give the nations for thine inheritance, and the ends of the earth for thy possession.

9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; like a potter's vessel shalt thou dash them in pieces.”

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.'

10 And now, O ye kings, be wise: take warning, ye judges of the earth.

Now therefore, O ye kings, be wise; be admonished, ye judges of the earth.

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

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Do homage to the son, lest he be angry, and ye be lost on the way; for his wrath is so speedily kindled. Happy are all they that put their trust in him.

Do homage in purity, lest He be angry, and ye perish in the way, when suddenly His wrath is kindled. Happy are all they that take refuge in Him.