Psalm 2
1 Warum sind die Heiden so wild erregt? / Warum sinnen die Völker, was nichtig ist?
(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 Der Erde Könige lehnen sich auf, / Und die Würdenträger beraten sich / Wider Jahwe und seinen Gesalbten:
The kings of the nations prepare to revolt; the rulers plot together [to fight] against Yahweh and against his chosen king.
3 "Auf, laßt uns sprengen ihre Bande / Und von uns werfen ihre Seile!"
They shout, “We should free ourselves from their control [MET]; we should not let them rule over us any longer!”
4 Der in den Himmeln thronet, lacht, / Adonái spottet ihrer.
But Yahweh, the one who sits [on his throne] in heaven, laughs [at them]; he ridicules those rulers.
5 Dann aber redet er sie an im Zorn / Und wird sie schrecken in seinem Grimm:
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 "Ich habe meinen König eingesetzt / auf Zion, meinem heilgen Berg!"
[Yahweh says], “I have installed my king on Zion, my sacred hill [in Jerusalem].”
7 "Ich will verkünden Jahwes Spruch: / Er hat mir gesagt: 'Mein Sohn bist du, / Ich habe dich heute gezeugt!
[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 Fordre von mir, so geb ich dir Völker zum Erbe / Und die Enden der Erde zum Eigentum.
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 Du sollst sie zerschmettern mit eisernem Stab, / Wie Töpfergeschirr sie zerschlagen!'"
You will defeat them completely [MET]; you will [destroy them like people] smash a clay pot with an iron rod [SIM].’”
10 Nun denn, ihr Könige, seid verständig! / Lasset euch warnen, ihr Richter auf Erden!
So then, you kings and other rulers on the earth, act wisely! [Heed what Yahweh is] warning you!
11 Dienet Jahwe mit Ehrfurcht / Und jubelt ihm zu mit Zittern!
Serve Yahweh, fervently revering him; Rejoice [about what he has done for you], but tremble before him!
12 Küsset den Sohn, damit er nicht zürne / Und ihr umkommet auf euerm Weg! / Denn bald wird sein Zorn entbrennen. / Heil allen, die bei ihm Zuflucht suchen!
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].
