2 Why ·are the nations so angry [do the nations rage/or conspire]?
    Why ·are the people making useless plans [do the people plot in vain]?
² The kings of the earth ·prepare to fight [^Ltake their stand],
    and their leaders ·make plans [plot] together
against the Lord
    and his ·appointed one [anointed; Messiah; ^Cthe king, ultimately Jesus; Acts 4:25–28].
³ They say, “Let’s break ·the chains that hold us back [^Ltheir chains/bonds]
    and throw off ·the ropes that tie us down [^Ltheir ropes/cords from us].”

²⁶ The kings of the earth ·prepare to fight [take their stand],
    and their ·leaders [rulers] ·make plans [or gather; assemble] together
against the Lord
    and his ·Christ [Messiah; Anointed One; Ps. 2:1–2; ^Cthe psalm describes the unrest of subject nations at the coronation of Israel’s anointed king].’