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Why do the heathen rage, and the people murmur in vain?

The kings of the Earth stand together. And the Princes are assembled together against the LORD, and against His Christ.

Let us break their bands and cast their cords from us.

But he who dwells in the heavens shall laugh. The LORD shall hold them in derision.

Then shall He speak to them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure, saying,

“I have set My King upon Zion, My Holy Mountain.”

“I will declare the decree. The LORD has said to me, ‘You are My Son. This day have I begotten You.

“Ask of Me, and I shall give You the heathen for Your inheritance, and the ends of the Earth for Your possession.

“You shall crush them with a scepter of iron; and break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”

10 Be wise now, therefore, you kings. Be learned, you judges of the Earth.

11 Serve the LORD in fear; and rejoice in trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish on the way when His wrath shall suddenly burn. Blessed are all who trust in Him. A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom.

Psalm 2

Why do the nations conspire[a]
    and the peoples plot(A) in vain?
The kings(B) of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
    against the Lord and against his anointed,(C) saying,
“Let us break their chains(D)
    and throw off their shackles.”(E)

The One enthroned(F) in heaven laughs;(G)
    the Lord scoffs at them.
He rebukes them in his anger(H)
    and terrifies them in his wrath,(I) saying,
“I have installed my king(J)
    on Zion,(K) my holy mountain.(L)

I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;(M)
    today I have become your father.(N)
Ask me,
    and I will make the nations(O) your inheritance,(P)
    the ends of the earth(Q) your possession.
You will break them with a rod of iron[b];(R)
    you will dash them to pieces(S) like pottery.(T)

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;(U)
    be warned, you rulers(V) of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear(W)
    and celebrate his rule(X) with trembling.(Y)
12 Kiss his son,(Z) or he will be angry
    and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath(AA) can flare up in a moment.
    Blessed(AB) are all who take refuge(AC) in him.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 2:1 Hebrew; Septuagint rage
  2. Psalm 2:9 Or will rule them with an iron scepter (see Septuagint and Syriac)