Psalms 2
1 Wherefore do nations rage, and people meditate 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 raise themselves up, and rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed:
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 asunder their bands, and cast away from us their cords.”
They shout, “We should free ourselves from their control [MET]; we should not let them rule over us any longer!”
4 He who dwelleth in the heavens will laugh: the Lord will hold them in derision.
But Yahweh, the one who sits [on his throne] in heaven, laughs [at them]; he ridicules those rulers.
5 Then will he speak unto them in his anger, and in his displeasure will he terrify them.
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 [Saying, ] Yet have I appointed my king upon Zion my holy mount.
[Yahweh says], “I have installed my king on Zion, my sacred hill [in Jerusalem].”
7 I will announce the decree, the Lord hath said unto me, “My son art thou: I have indeed this day 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 it of me, and I will give thee nations for an inheritance, and for thy possession the uttermost ends of the earth.
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; like a potter's vessel shalt thou dash them in pieces.”
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, be wise: take warning, 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 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.
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].
