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God’s Chosen King

Why are the nations so angry?
    Why are the people making useless plans?
The kings of the earth prepare to fight.
    Their leaders make plans together
against the Lord
    and his appointed king.
“Let’s break the chains that hold us prisoners.
    Let’s throw off the ropes that tie us,” the nations say.

But the Lord in heaven laughs.
    He makes fun of them.
Then the Lord warns them.
    He frightens them with his anger.
He says, “I have appointed my own king!
    He will rule in Jerusalem on my holy mountain.”

Now I will tell you what the Lord has declared:
He said to me, “You are my son.
    Today I have become your father.
If you ask me, I will give you the nations.
    All the people on earth will be yours.
You will make them obey you by punishing them with an iron rod.
    You will break them into pieces like pottery.”

10 So, kings, be wise.
    Rulers, learn this lesson.
11 Obey the Lord with great fear.
    Be happy, but tremble.
12 Show that you are loyal to his son.
    Otherwise you will be destroyed.
He can quickly become angry.
    But happy are those who trust him for protection.

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)