Psalm 2 Contemporary English Version

The Lord's Chosen King

¹^(A) Why do the nations plot,^[a]
and why do their people
    make useless plans?^[b]
²The kings of this earth
    have all joined together
to turn against the Lord
    and his chosen king.
³They say, “Let's cut the ropes
    and set ourselves free!”

⁴In heaven the Lord laughs
as he sits on his throne,
    making fun of the nations.
⁵The Lord becomes furious
    and threatens them.
His anger terrifies them
    as he says,
⁶“I've put my king on Zion,
    my sacred hill.”

⁷^(B) I will tell the promise
    that the Lord made to me:
“You are my son, because today
    I have become your father.
⁸Ask me for the nations,
and every nation on earth
    will belong to you.
⁹^(C) You will smash them
    with an iron rod
and shatter them
    like dishes of clay.”

¹⁰Be smart, all you rulers,
    and pay close attention.
¹¹Serve and honor the Lord;
    be glad and tremble.
¹²Show respect to his son
    because if you don't,
the Lord might become furious
    and suddenly destroy you.^[c]
But he blesses and protects
    everyone who runs to him.

Footnotes

2.1 Why … plot: Or “Why are the nations restless?”
2.1 make useless plans: Or “grumble uselessly.”
2.11,12 Serve … you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verses 11,12.