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The Lord’s Chosen King

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]?
The kings of the earth ·prepare to fight [L take their stand],
    and their leaders ·make plans [plot] together
against the Lord
    and his ·appointed one [anointed; Messiah; C the king, ultimately Jesus; Acts 4:25–28].
They say, “Let’s break ·the chains that hold us back [L their chains/bonds]
    and throw off ·the ropes that tie us down [L their ropes/cords from us].”

But the one who sits in heaven [C God] laughs;
    the Lord ·makes fun of [ridicules; derides] them.
Then the Lord ·warns them [L speaks to them in anger]
    and frightens them with his ·anger [fury].
He says, “I have ·appointed [installed; set] my own king
    over my holy mountain, Zion [C the location of the Temple in Jerusalem; 9:11; 48:2, 11; 50:2; 1 Kin. 8:1].”

Now I will ·tell [recount to] you what the Lord has ·declared [decreed]:

He said to me, “You are my son.
    Today I have become your father [2 Sam. 7:14; Matt. 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22; Acts 13:32–33; Heb. 1:5].
·If you ask me [L Ask of me], I will give you the nations as your inheritance;
    all the ·people on [L ends of the] earth will be ·yours [L your possession].
You will rule over them with an iron ·rod [scepter; C a symbol of royal authority; Rev. 12:5; 19:15].
    You will ·break [dash] them into pieces like pottery.”

10 ·So [Now], kings, be wise;
    ·rulers [L rulers/judges of the earth], ·learn this lesson [be warned].
11 ·Obey [Serve] the Lord with great fear.
    ·Be happy [Rejoice], ·but tremble [L with trembling].
12 ·Show that you are loyal to his [L Kiss the] son,
    or ·you will be destroyed by his anger [L he will be angry and you will perish on the way],
because he can quickly become angry.
    But ·happy [blessed] are those who ·trust him for protection [find refuge in him].

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)

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,

Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

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

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.