< Psalms 2 >

1 Why this turmoil of nations, this futile plotting of peoples, 2 with kings of the earth conspiring, and rulers consulting together, against the Lord and against his anointed, 3 to snap their bonds and fling their cords away? 4 He whose throne is in heaven laughs, the Lord mocks them. 5 Then he speaks to them in his wrath, and in his hot anger confounds them. 6 ‘This my king is installed by me, on Zion my holy mountain.’ 7 I will tell of the Lord’s decree. He said to me: ‘You are my son, this day I became your father. 8 Only ask, and I make you the heir of the nations, and lord of the world to its utmost bounds. 9 You will break them with sceptre of iron, shatter them like pottery.’ 10 So now, you kings, be wise: be warned, you rulers of earth. 11 Serve the Lord in awe, kiss his feet with trembling, 12 lest, angry, he hurl you to ruin; for soon will his fury blaze. Happy all who take refuge in him.

< Psalms 2 >