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 are the nations in tumultuous agitation, and [why] do the peoples meditate a vain thing?

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 set themselves, and the princes plot together, against Jehovah and against his anointed:

3 They shout, “We should free ourselves from their control [MET]; we should not let them rule over us any longer!”

Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their cords from us!

4 But Yahweh, the one who sits [on his throne] in heaven, laughs [at them]; he ridicules those rulers.

He that dwelleth in the heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall have them in derision.

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 in his fierce displeasure will he terrify them:

6 [Yahweh says], “I have installed my king on Zion, my sacred hill [in Jerusalem].”

And I have anointed my king upon Zion, the hill of my holiness.

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.

I will declare the decree: Jehovah hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; I this day have begotten thee.

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 thee nations for an inheritance, and for thy possession the ends of the earth:

9 You will defeat them completely [MET]; you will [destroy them like people] smash a clay pot with an iron rod [SIM].’”

Thou shalt break them with a sceptre of iron, as a potter's vessel thou shalt dash them in pieces.

10 So then, you kings and other rulers on the earth, act wisely! [Heed what Yahweh is] warning you!

And now, O kings, be ye wise, be admonished, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve Yahweh, fervently revering him; Rejoice [about what he has done for you], but tremble before him!

Serve Jehovah with fear, and rejoice 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].

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, though his anger burn but a little. Blessed are all who have their trust in him.