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]!

Wherefore have nations assembled in tumult? Or should, peoples, mutter an empty 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 earth take their station, and, grave men, have met by appointment together, —against Yahweh, and against his Anointed One [saying]:

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

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

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

He that sitteth in the heavens, will laugh, —My Lord, will mock at 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 unto them in his anger, and, in his wrath, confound them:

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

Yet, I, have installed my king, —on Zion my holy mountain.

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.

Let me tell of a decree, —Yahweh, hath said unto me, My son, thou art, I, to-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 let me give nations as thine inheritance, and, as 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 shepherd them with a sceptre of iron, —as a potter’s vessel, shalt thou dash them in pieces.

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

Now, therefore, ye kings, show your prudence, Be admonished, ye judges of earth:

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

Serve Yahweh with reverence, and exult 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 by the way, for soon might be kindled his anger, —How happy are all who seek refuge in him!