Psalm 2:1–3:8

The Messiah’s Reign

2Why are nations in tumult,

and countries plotting^a in vain?^b

²The kings of the earth establish themselves,

and the rulers conspire^c together

against Yahweh and his anointed:

³“Let us tear off their bonds,

and cast their cords from us!”

⁴He who sits enthroned in the heavens laughs.

The Lord derides them.

⁵Then he speaks to them in his wrath,

and in his fury he terrifies them:

⁶“But as for me, I have set my king

on Zion, my holy mountain.”

⁷I will tell the decree;

Yahweh said to me:

“You are my son;

today I have begotten you.

⁸Ask from me and I will make the nations your heritage,

and your possession the ends of the earth.

⁹You will break them with an iron rod.

Like a potter’s vessel you will shatter them.”

¹⁰So then, O kings, be wise.

Be warned, O rulers of the earth.

¹¹Serve Yahweh with fear,

and rejoice with trembling.

¹²Kiss the Son

lest he be angry and you perish on the way,

for his anger burns quickly.

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

A Call to Yahweh in Distress

3A psalm of David at his fleeing from the presence of Absalom, his son.^a

¹Yahweh, how many are my enemies;

many are rising against me.

²Many are saying about my soul,

“There is no deliverance for him from^b God. Selah^c

³But^c you, Yahweh, are a shield around me,

my glory and the one who lifts up my head.

⁴With my voice I call to Yahweh

and he answers me from his holy hill.^d Selah

⁵I lay down and slept;

I woke up because Yahweh sustains me.

⁶I am not afraid of the ten thousands of people

who all around have set themselves against me.

⁷Rise up, O Yahweh; deliver me, O my God;

for you strike all my enemies on the cheek.

The teeth of the wicked you break.

⁸To Yahweh belongs deliverance;

may your blessing be over your people. Selah