Psalms 2

1 Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?

Why have the Gentiles been seething, and why have the people been pondering nonsense?

2 The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his Anointed, saying,

The kings of the earth have stood up, and the leaders have joined together as one, against the Lord and against his Christ:

3 “Let’s break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us.”

“Let us shatter their chains and cast their yoke away from us.”

4 He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision.

He who dwells in heaven will ridicule them, and the Lord will mock them.

5 Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath:

Then will he speak to them in his anger and trouble them with his fury.

6 “Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”

Yet I have been appointed king by him over Zion, his holy mountain, preaching his precepts.

7 I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my son. Today I have become your father.

The Lord has said to me: You are my son, this day have I begotten you.

8 Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.

Ask of me and I will give to you: the Gentiles for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession.

9 You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

You will rule them with an iron rod, and you will shatter them like a potter’s vessel.

10 Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

And now, O kings, understand. Receive instruction, you who judge the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Serve the Lord in fear, and exult in him with trembling.

12 Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish on the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.

Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord might become angry, and you would perish from the way of the just. Though his wrath can flare up in a short time, blessed are all those who trust in him.