Psalm 2:1–3:8

CORONATION OF THE SON

¹Why^j do the nations rage^k

and the peoples plot in vain?^l

²The kings of the earth take their stand,^m

and the rulers conspire together

against the Lord and his Anointed One:^Bn

³“Let’s tear off their chains

and throw their ropes off of us.”^o

⁴The one enthroned^C in heaven laughs;

the Lord ridicules them.^p

⁵Then he speaks to them in his anger

and terrifies them in his wrath:^q

⁶“I have installed my king

on Zion, my holy mountain.”^r

⁷I will declare the Lord’s decree.

He said to me, “You are my Son;

today I have become your Father.^s

⁸Ask of me,

and I will make the nations your inheritance

and the ends of the earth your possession.^t

⁹You will break them with an iron scepter;

you will shatter them like pottery.”^u

¹⁰So now, kings, be wise;

receive instruction, you judges of the earth.

¹¹Serve the Lord with reverential awe

and rejoice with trembling.^v

¹²Pay homage to^A the Son or he will be angry

and you will perish in your rebellion,^Bw

for his anger may ignite at any moment.^x

All who take refuge in him are happy.^y

Psalm 3

CONFIDENCE IN TROUBLED TIMES

A psalm of David when he fled from his son Absalom.^z

¹Lord, how my foes increase!

There are many who attack me.^aa

²Many say about me,

“There is no help for him in God.”^ab

Selah

³But you, Lord, are a shield around me,^ac

my glory,^ad and the one who lifts up my head.^ae

⁴I cry aloud to the Lord,

and he answers me from his holy mountain.^af

Selah

⁵I lie down and sleep;

I wake again because the Lord sustains me.^ag

⁶I will not be afraid of thousands of people

who have taken their stand against me on every side.^a

⁷Rise up, Lord!^b

Save me, my God!

You strike all my enemies on the cheek;^c

you break the teeth of the wicked.^d

⁸Salvation belongs to the Lord;^e

may your blessing be on your people.^f

Selah