Psalm 2 - Good News Translation (GNT)

God's Chosen King

2 (A)Why do the nations plan rebellion?
Why do people make their useless plots?
2 Their kings revolt,
their rulers plot together against the Lord
and against the king he chose.
3 “Let us free ourselves from their rule,” they say;
“let us throw off their control.”

4 From his throne in heaven the Lord laughs
and mocks their feeble plans.
5 Then he warns them in anger
and terrifies them with his fury.
6 “On Zion,[a] my sacred hill,” he says,
“I have installed my king.”

7 (B)“I will announce,” says the king, “what the Lord has declared.
He said to me: ‘You are my son;
today I have become your father.
8 Ask, and I will give you all the nations;
the whole earth will be yours.
9 (C)You will break them with an iron rod;
you will shatter them in pieces like a clay pot.’”

10 Now listen to this warning, you kings;
learn this lesson, you rulers of the world:
11 Serve the Lord with fear;
tremble 12 and bow down to him;[b]
or else his anger will be quickly aroused,
and you will suddenly die.
Happy are all who go to him for protection.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 2:6 The term “Zion” (originally a designation for “David's City,” the Jebusite stronghold captured by King David's forces) was later extended in meaning to refer to the hill on which the Temple stood.
  2. Psalm 2:12 Probable text tremble … him; some other possible texts with trembling kiss his feet and with trembling kiss the Son and tremble and kiss the mighty one; Hebrew unclear.

Cross references

  1. Psalm 2:1 : Acts 4:25; Acts 4:26
  2. Psalm 2:7 : Acts 13:33; Heb 1:5; Ps 5:5
  3. Psalm 2:9 : Rev 2:26; Rev 2:27; Ps 12:5; Ps 19:15

You Might Also Like:

Psalm 2 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

2 Why have nations tumultuously assembled? And do peoples meditate vanity? 2 Station themselves do kings of the earth, And princes have been united together, Against Jehovah, and against His Messiah: 3 `Let us draw off Their cords, And cast from us Their thick bands.' 4 He who is sitting in the heav...
Read More

Psalm 2 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

2 Why gnashed with teeth heathen men; and peoples thought vain things? (Why do the heathen gnash with their teeth? and the peoples think up useless plans?) 2 The kings of earth stood together; and princes came together against the Lord, and against his Christ. (The kings of the earth stood together;...
Read More

Psalm 2 - World English Bible (WEB)

2 Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?2 The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his Anointed,[a] saying,3 “Let’s break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us.”4 He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The L...
Read More

Psalm 2 - The Voice (VOICE)

Psalm 21 You are wondering: What has provoked the nations to embrace anger and chaos?[a] Why are the people making plans to pursue their own vacant and empty greatness?2 Leaders of nations stand united; rulers put their heads together, plotting against the Eternal One and His Anointed King, trying t...
Read More

Psalm 2 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Coronation of Messianic KingPsalm 21 Why are the nations in an uproar,and the peoples mutter vanity?2 The kings of earth set themselves up[a]and rulers conspire together[b] against Adonaiand against His Anointed One[c]:3 “Let’s rip their chains apart,and throw their ropes off us!”4 He who sits in he...
Read More

Psalm 2 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

God’s Promise to His Anointed2 [a]Why do the nations conspire,and the peoples plot in vain?2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying,3 “Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the...
Read More

Psalm 2 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

God’s Promise to His Anointed2 Why do the nations conspire,and the peoples plot in vain?2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying,3 “Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the he...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Psalm 2God’s Promise to His Anointed1 Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain?2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying,3 “Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us.” 4 He who sits i...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Psalm 2God’s Promise to His Anointed1 Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain?2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying,3 ‘Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us.’ 4 He who sits i...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Psalm 2God’s Promise to His Anointed1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?(A)2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying,(B)3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast their cords from us.”4 He who sits ...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 21 Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans?2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot togetheragainst the Lord and against his anointed one.3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” 4 But the one wh...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New Life Version (NLV)

God’s Chosen One Will Rule2 Why are the nations so shaken up and the people planning foolish things? 2 The kings of the earth stand in a line ready to fight, and all the leaders are against the Lord and against His Chosen One. 3 They say, “Let us break their chains and throw them away from us.” 4 ...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Messiah’s Triumph and Kingdom(A)2 Why (B)do the [a]nations [b]rage,And the people plot a [c]vain thing?2 The kings of the earth set themselves,And the (C)rulers take counsel together,Against the Lord and against His (D)Anointed,[d] saying,3 “Let (E)us break Their bonds in piecesAnd cast away The...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Psalm 21 Why do the nations conspire[a] and the peoples plot in vain?2 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,3 ‘Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.’ 4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at th...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 21 Why do the nations conspire[a] and the peoples plot(A) in vain?2 The kings(B) of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed,(C) saying,3 “Let us break their chains(D) and throw off their shackles.”(E) 4 The One enthroned(F) in heaven laughs;(G) ...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Psalm 21 Why do the nations plan evil together? Why do they make useless plans?2 The kings of the earth rise up against the Lord. The rulers of the earth join together against his anointed king.3 “Let us break free from their chains,” they say. “Let us throw off their ropes.” 4 The God who sits on h...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New English Translation (NET)

Psalm 2[a]2 Why[b] do the nations rebel?[c]Why[d] are the countries[e] devising[f] plots that will fail?[g]2 The kings of the earth[h] form a united front;[i]the rulers collaborate[j]against the Lord and his anointed king.[k]3 They say,[l] “Let’s tear off the shackles they’ve put on us.[m]Let’s free...
Read More