Psalm 2

The Reign of the Lord's Anointed

1  Why do the nations raget
and the peoples plot in vain?
2  The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
3  "Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us."

4  He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
5  Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6  "As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill."

7  I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, "You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
8  Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
9  You shall breakt them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."

10  Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11  Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12  Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Psalm 2

1 Why do the nations rebel?
Why are the countries devising plots that will fail?

2 The kings of the earth form a united front;
the rulers collaborate
against the Lord and his anointed king.

3 They say, “Let’s tear off the shackles they’ve put on us!
Let’s free ourselves from their ropes!”

4 The one enthroned in heaven laughs in disgust;
the Lord taunts them.

5 Then he angrily speaks to them
and terrifies them in his rage, saying,

6 “I myself have installed my king
on Zion, my holy hill.”

7 The king says, “I will announce the Lord's decree. He said to me:
‘You are my son! This very day I have become your father!

8 Ask me,
and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
the ends of the earth as your personal property.

9 You will break them with an iron scepter;
you will smash them like a potter’s jar!’”

10 So now, you kings, do what is wise;
you rulers of the earth, submit to correction!

11 Serve the Lord in fear!
Repent in terror!

12 Give sincere homage!
Otherwise he will be angry,
and you will die because of your behavior,
when his anger quickly ignites.
How blessed are all who take shelter in him!