Psalms 2

1 Wherefore did the heathen rage, and the nations imagine vain things?

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot in vain?

2 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers gathered themselves together, against the Lord, and against his Christ;

The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against YHWH, and against his Anointed:

3 [saying], Let us break through their bonds, and cast away their yoke from us.

"Let's tear off their shackles, and throw off their ropes from us."

4 He that dwells in the heavens shall laugh them to scorn, and the Lord shall mock them.

The one who sits in the heavens laughs. YHWH scoffs at them.

5 Then shall he speak to them in his anger, and trouble them in his fury.

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

6 But I have been made king by him on Sion his holy mountain,

"But I myself have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain."

7 declaring the ordinance of the Lord: the Lord said to me, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee.

I will tell of the decree. YHWH said to me, "You are my son. Today I have become your father.

8 Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the ends of the earth [for] thy possession.

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

9 Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces as a potter's vessel.

You shall rule them with an iron scepter. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."

10 Now therefore understand, ye kings: be instructed, all ye that judge the earth.

Now therefore, you kings, be wise; receive correction, you judges of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice in him with trembling.

Serve YHWH with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Accept correction, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and ye should perish from the righteous way: whensoever his wrath shall be suddenly kindled, blessed are all they that trust in him.

Do homage in purity, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, when his anger is suddenly kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.