Psalms 2

1 Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?

Wherefore have nations assembled in tumult? Or should, peoples, mutter an empty thing?

2 The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his Anointed, saying,

The kings of earth take their station, and, grave men, have met by appointment together, —against Yahweh, and against his Anointed One [saying]:

3 “Let’s break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us.”

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

4 He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision.

He that sitteth in the heavens, will laugh, —My Lord, will mock at them:

5 Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath:

Then, will he speak unto them in his anger, and, in his wrath, confound them:

6 “Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”

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

7 I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my son. Today I have become 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 of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.

Ask of me, and let me give nations as thine inheritance, and, as thy possession, the ends of the earth:

9 You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

Thou shalt shepherd them with a sceptre of iron, —as a potter’s vessel, shalt thou dash them in pieces.

10 Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

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

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

Serve Yahweh with reverence, and exult with trembling:

12 Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish on the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.

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!