Psalms 2

The Lord 's Chosen King

¹Why do the nations plot,[#Ac 4.25,26.; #2.1 Or “Why are the nations restless?”]

and why do their people

make useless plans?

²The kings of this earth

have all joined together

to turn against the Lord

and his chosen king.

³They say, “Let's cut the ropes

and set ourselves free!”

⁴In heaven the Lord laughs

as he sits on his throne,

making fun of the nations.

⁵The Lord becomes furious

and threatens them.

His anger terrifies them

as he says,

⁶“I've put my king on Zion,

my sacred hill.”

⁷I will tell the promise[#Ac 13.33; He 1.5; 5.5.]

that the Lord made to me:

“You are my son, because today

I have become your father.

⁸Ask me for the nations,

and every nation on earth

will belong to you.

⁹You will smash them[#Rev 2.26-28; 12.5; 19.15.]

with an iron rod

and shatter them

like dishes of clay.”

¹⁰Be smart, all you rulers,

and pay close attention.

¹¹Serve and honor the Lord ;

be glad and tremble.

¹²Show respect to his son

because if you don't,

the Lord might become furious

and suddenly destroy you.

But he blesses and protects

everyone who runs to him.