Psalms 2
1 (Why do the [leaders of] nations rage [against God]?/It is foolish for the nations to be angry [with God]) [RHQ]. (Why do people plan to rebel [against God] even though it is in vain?/It is useless for people to plan to rebel [against God]) [RHQ]!
Why are the nations plotting rebellion? The peoples devise schemes, but they're pointless.
2 The kings of the nations prepare to revolt; the rulers plot together [to fight] against Yahweh and against his chosen king.
The kings of the world prepare to attack, and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and his anointed one, saying,
3 They shout, “We should free ourselves from their control [MET]; we should not let them rule over us any longer!”
“Let's break the chains and throw away the cords that bind us.”
4 But Yahweh, the one who sits [on his throne] in heaven, laughs [at them]; he ridicules those rulers.
But the one who sits enthroned in heaven laughs. The Lord mocks them.
5 Then, because he is angry with them, he rebukes them. He causes them to be terrified when [they realize] that he will furiously punish them.
He will thunder at them, and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 [Yahweh says], “I have installed my king on Zion, my sacred hill [in Jerusalem].”
“It is I who placed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”
7 [And his king says], “I will proclaim what Yahweh has decreed. He said to me, ‘[It is as though] you are my son; today I have declared to everyone that [it is as though] [MET] I am your father.
“I will proclaim the Lord's decree,” says the king. “He told me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your father.
8 Ask me to give you the nations, so that they belong to you [to rule over them permanently], and I will give them to you. [Even] the most remote nations will be yours.
Ask me, and I will give you the nations as your possessions—the whole earth will belong to you.
9 You will defeat them completely [MET]; you will [destroy them like people] smash a clay pot with an iron rod [SIM].’”
You will break them with a rod of iron, smashing them like pottery.’”
10 So then, you kings and other rulers on the earth, act wisely! [Heed what Yahweh is] warning you!
So then you kings, be wise! Be warned, you rulers of the world!
11 Serve Yahweh, fervently revering him; Rejoice [about what he has done for you], but tremble before him!
Serve the Lord in reverence, celebrate with trembling!
12 Bow down humbly before his son! If you do not do that, Yahweh will be angry, and he will suddenly get rid of you. Do not forget that he can very quickly show that he is very angry! But he is very pleased with all those who request him to protect them [MET].
Submit to his son so that he will not become angry and you die suddenly. His anger flares up quickly, but how happy are all those who go to him for protection.
