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Why do the Goyim rage, and the Amim (peoples) imagine a vain thing?

The Malchei Eretz rise up in rebellion, and the rulers take counsel together against Hashem and against His Moshiach, saying,

Let us break their chains asunder, and cast away their fetters from us.

He that sitteth enthroned in Shomayim laughs; Adonoi hath them in derision.

Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, and distress them in His hot displeasure.

I have set Malki (My King) upon Tziyon, My Har Kodesh.

I will declare the chok (decree): Hashem hath said unto me, Thou art Beni (My Son, i.e. Ben HaElohim Moshiach); HaYom (today) I have begotten thee.

Ask of Me, and I shall give thee the Goyim for thine nachalah, and the uttermost parts of ha’aretz for thy possession.

Thou shalt rule them with a shevet barzel; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

10 Have seichel now therefore, O ye Melachim; be warned, ye Shoftei Aretz.

11 Serve Hashem with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Bar (Ben, Son, [see Hebrew Mishlei 31:2; Ben HaElohim Moshiach; see 2:2,7, above]), lest he be angry, and ye perish from the Derech, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Ashrei are all they that take refuge in him [Moshiach].

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.