2 What fools the nations are to rage[a] against the Lord! How strange that men should try to outwit God!* 2 For a summit conference of the nations has been called to plot against the Lord and his Messiah, Christ the King.[b] 3 “Come, let us break his chains,” they say, “and free ourselves from all this slavery to God.”
4 But God in heaven merely laughs! He is amused by all their puny plans. 5 And then in fierce fury he rebukes them and fills them with fear.
6 For the Lord declares,[c] “This is the King of my choice, and I have enthroned him in Jerusalem, my holy city.”*
7 His chosen one replies,[d] “I will reveal the everlasting purposes of God, for the Lord has said to me, ‘You are my Son. This is your Coronation Day.* Today I am giving you your glory.’” 8 “Only ask and I will give you all the nations of the world. 9 Rule them with an iron rod; smash them like clay pots!”
10 O kings and rulers of the earth, listen while there is time. 11 Serve the Lord with reverent fear; rejoice with trembling. 12 Fall down before his Son and kiss his feet[e] before his anger is roused and you perish. I am warning you—his wrath will soon begin. But oh, the joys of those who put their trust in him!
Footnotes
- Psalm 2:1 What fools . . . to rage, literally, “Why do the heathen rage?” try to outwit God, literally, “meditate a vain thing.”
- Psalm 2:2 his Messiah, Christ the King, literally, “his anointed.”
- Psalm 2:6 For the Lord declares, implied. in Jerusalem, my holy city, literally, “upon Zion, my holy mountain.”
- Psalm 2:7 His chosen one replies, implied. This is your Coronation Day, literally, “This day have I begotten you.”
- Psalm 2:12 Fall down before his Son and kiss his feet, implied.