Psalms, 2

1. Why this uproar among the nations, this impotent muttering of the peoples?

1. Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain?

2. Kings of the earth take up position, princes plot together against Yahweh and his anointed,

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

3. 'Now let us break their fetters! Now let us throw off their bonds!'

3. "Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us."

4. He who is enthroned in the heavens laughs, Yahweh makes a mockery of them,

4. He who sits in the heavens laughs; the LORD has them in derision.

5. then in his anger rebukes them, in his rage he strikes them with terror.

5. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,

6. 'I myself have anointed my king on Zion my holy mountain.'

6. "I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill."

7. I will proclaim the decree of Yahweh: He said to me, 'You are my son, today have I fathered you.

7. I will tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my son, today I have begotten you.

8. Ask of me, and I shall give you the nations as your birthright, the whole wide world as your possession.

8. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.

9. With an iron sceptre you will break them, shatter them like so many pots.'

9. You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."

10. So now, you kings, come to your senses, you earthly rulers, learn your lesson!

10. Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.

11. In fear be submissive to Yahweh;

11. Serve the LORD with fear, with trembling

12. with trembling kiss his feet, lest he be angry and your way come to nothing, for his fury flares up in a moment. How blessed are all who take refuge in him!

12. kiss his feet, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way; for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.