Psalms 2

1 Why are the nations so violently moved, and why are the thoughts of the people so foolish?

Why this turmoil of nations, this futile plotting of peoples,

2 The kings of the earth have taken their place, and the rulers are fixed in their purpose, against the Lord, and against the king of his selection, saying,

with kings of the earth conspiring, and rulers consulting together, against the Lord and against his anointed,

3 Let their chains be broken, and their cords taken from off us.

to snap their bonds and fling their cords away?

4 Then he whose seat is in the heavens will be laughing: the Lord will make sport of them.

He whose throne is in heaven laughs, the Lord mocks them.

5 Then will his angry words come to their ears, and by his wrath they will be troubled:

Then he speaks to them in his wrath, and in his hot anger confounds them.

6 But I have put my king on my holy hill of Zion.

‘This my king is installed by me, on Zion my holy mountain.’

7 I will make clear the Lord's decision: he has said to me, You are my son, this day have I given you being.

I will tell of the Lord’s decree. He said to me: ‘You are my son, this day I became your father.

8 Make your request to me, and I will give you the nations for your heritage, and the farthest limits of the earth will be under your hand.

Only ask, and I make you the heir of the nations, and lord of the world to its utmost bounds.

9 They will be ruled by you with a rod of iron; they will be broken like a potter's vessel.

You will break them with sceptre of iron, shatter them like pottery.’

10 So now be wise, you kings: take his teaching, you judges of the earth.

So now, you kings, be wise: be warned, you rulers of earth.

11 Give worship to the Lord with fear, kissing his feet and giving him honour,

Serve the Lord in awe, kiss his feet with trembling,

12 For fear that he may be angry, causing destruction to come on you, because he is quickly moved to wrath. Happy are all those who put their faith in him.

lest, angry, he hurl you to ruin; for soon will his fury blaze. Happy all who take refuge in him.