Psalms 2
1 (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]!
Why have the Gentiles been seething, and why have the people been pondering nonsense?
2 The kings of the nations prepare to revolt; the rulers plot together [to fight] against Yahweh and against his chosen king.
The kings of the earth have stood up, and the leaders have joined together as one, against the Lord and against his Christ:
3 They shout, “We should free ourselves from their control [MET]; we should not let them rule over us any longer!”
“Let us shatter their chains and cast their yoke away from us.”
4 But Yahweh, the one who sits [on his throne] in heaven, laughs [at them]; he ridicules those rulers.
He who dwells in heaven will ridicule them, and the Lord will mock them.
5 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.
Then will he speak to them in his anger and trouble them with his fury.
6 [Yahweh says], “I have installed my king on Zion, my sacred hill [in Jerusalem].”
Yet I have been appointed king by him over Zion, his holy mountain, preaching his precepts.
7 [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.
The Lord has said to me: You are my son, this day have I begotten you.
8 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.
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 will defeat them completely [MET]; you will [destroy them like people] smash a clay pot with an iron rod [SIM].’”
You will rule them with an iron rod, and you will shatter them like a potter’s vessel.
10 So then, you kings and other rulers on the earth, act wisely! [Heed what Yahweh is] warning you!
And now, O kings, understand. Receive instruction, you who judge the earth.
11 Serve Yahweh, fervently revering him; Rejoice [about what he has done for you], but tremble before him!
Serve the Lord in fear, and exult in him with trembling.
12 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].
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.
