Loading…

Psalm 2:1–4

The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed

rWhy do sthe nations rage1

and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers take counsel together,

against the Lord and against his tAnointed, saying,

“Let us uburst their bonds apart

and cast away their cords from us.”

He who vsits in the heavens wlaughs;

the Lord holds them in derision.

Read more Explain verse



Psalm 2:1–4 — The New International Version (NIV)

Why do the nations conspire

and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth rise up

and the rulers band together

against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,

“Let us break their chains

and throw off their shackles.”

The One enthroned in heaven laughs;

the Lord scoffs at them.

Psalm 2:1–4 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

Why do the heathen rage,

And the people imagine a vain thing?

The kings of the earth set themselves,

And the rulers take counsel together,

Against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,

Let us break their bands asunder,

And cast away their cords from us.

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh:

The Lord shall have them in derision.

Psalm 2:1–4 — New Living Translation (NLT)

Why are the nations so angry?

Why do they waste their time with futile plans?

The kings of the earth prepare for battle;

the rulers plot together

against the Lord

and against his anointed one.

“Let us break their chains,” they cry,

“and free ourselves from slavery to God.”

But the one who rules in heaven laughs.

The Lord scoffs at them.

Psalm 2:1–4 — The New King James Version (NKJV)

Why do the nations rage,

And the people plot a vain thing?

The kings of the earth set themselves,

And the rulers take counsel together,

Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,

“Let us break Their bonds in pieces

And cast away Their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;

The Lord shall hold them in derision.

Psalm 2:1–4 — New Century Version (NCV)

Why are the nations so angry?

Why are the people making useless plans?

The kings of the earth prepare to fight,

and their leaders make plans together

against the Lord

and his appointed one.

They say, “Let’s break the chains that hold us back

and throw off the ropes that tie us down.”

But the one who sits in heaven laughs;

the Lord makes fun of them.

Psalm 2:1–4 — American Standard Version (ASV)

Why do the nations rage,

And the peoples meditate a vain thing?

The kings of the earth set themselves,

And the rulers take counsel together,

Against Jehovah, and against his anointed, saying,

Let us break their bonds asunder,

And cast away their cords from us.

He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh:

The Lord will have them in derision.

Psalm 2:1–4 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

Why are the nations in tumultuous agitation, and why do the peoples meditate a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the princes plot together, against Jehovah and against his anointed: Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their cords from us! He that dwelleth in the heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall have them in derision.

Psalm 2:1–4 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Why do the nations gather together? 

Why do their people devise useless plots? 

Kings take their stands. 

Rulers make plans together 

against the Lord and against his Messiahby saying, 

“Let’s break apart their chains 

and shake off their ropes.” 

The one enthroned in heaven laughs. 

The Lord makes fun of them. 

Psalm 2:1–4 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Why do the nations rebel

and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth take their stand,

and the rulers conspire together

against the Lord and His Anointed One:

“Let us tear off their chains

and free ourselves from their restraints.”

The One enthroned in heaven laughs;

the Lord ridicules them.

Psalm 2:1–4 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Why do the nations conspire,

and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers take counsel together,

against the Lord and his anointed, saying,

“Let us burst their bonds asunder,

and cast their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens laughs;

the Lord has them in derision.

Psalm 2:1–4 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)

Why are nations in tumult,

and countries plotting in vain?

The kings of the earth establish themselves,

and the rulers conspire together

against Yahweh and his anointed:

“Let us tear off their bonds,

and cast their cords from us!”

He who sits enthroned in the heavens laughs.

The Lord derides them.

Psalm 2:1–4 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)

Why do the nations plan evil together?

Why do they make useless plans?

The kings of the earth take their stand against the Lord.

The rulers of the earth gather together against his anointed king.

“Let us break free from their chains,” they say.

“Let us throw off their ropes.”

The One who sits on his throne in heaven laughs.

The Lord makes fun of those rulers and their plans.

Psalm 2:1–4 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)

Why are the nations in an uproar

And the peoples devising a vain thing?

The kings of the earth take their stand

And the rulers take counsel together

Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,

“Let us tear their fetters apart

And cast away their cords from us!”

He who sits in the heavens laughs,

The Lord scoffs at them.


A service of Logos Bible Software