תהילים 2

1 למה רגשו גוים ולאמים יהגו ריק׃

(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 יתיצבו מלכי ארץ ורוזנים נוסדו יחד על יהוה ועל משיחו׃

The kings of the nations prepare to revolt; the rulers plot together [to fight] against Yahweh and against his chosen king.

3 ננתקה את מוסרותימו ונשליכה ממנו עבתימו׃

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

4 יושב בשמים ישחק אדני ילעג למו׃

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

5 אז ידבר אלימו באפו ובחרונו יבהלמו׃

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 ואני נסכתי מלכי על ציון הר קדשי׃

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

7 אספרה אל חק יהוה אמר אלי בני אתה אני היום ילדתיך׃

[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 שאל ממני ואתנה גוים נחלתך ואחזתך אפסי ארץ׃

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 תרעם בשבט ברזל ככלי יוצר תנפצם׃

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

10 ועתה מלכים השכילו הוסרו שפטי ארץ׃

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

11 עבדו את יהוה ביראה וגילו ברעדה׃

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

12 נשקו בר פן יאנף ותאבדו דרך כי יבער כמעט אפו אשרי כל חוסי בו׃

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].