Psalm 2:1–8

Why do the nations rage

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 Anointed, saying,

“Let us burst their bonds apart

and cast away their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens laughs;

the Lord holds them in derision.

Then he will speak to them in his wrath,

and terrify them in his fury, saying,

“As for me, I have set my King

on Zion, my holy hill.”

I will tell of the decree:

The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;

today I have begotten you.

Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,

and the ends of the earth your possession.

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.

He rebukes them in his anger

and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

“I have installed my king

on Zion, my holy mountain.”

I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;

today I have become your father.

Ask me,

and I will make the nations your inheritance,

the ends of the earth your possession.

Why do the nations rage

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’s tear off their chains

and throw their ropes off of us.”

The one enthroned in heaven laughs;

the Lord ridicules them.

Then he speaks to them in his anger

and terrifies them in his wrath:

“I have installed my king

on Zion, my holy mountain.”

I will declare the Lord’s decree.

He said to me, “You are my Son;

today I have become your Father.

Ask of me,

and I will make the nations your inheritance

and the ends of the earth your possession.

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.

Then in anger he rebukes them,

terrifying them with his fierce fury.

For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne

in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”

The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:

“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son.

Today I have become your Father.

Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,

the whole earth as your possession.

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.

Then he speaks to them in his wrath,

and in his fury he terrifies them:

“But as for me, I have set my king

on Zion, my holy mountain.”

I will tell the decree;

Yahweh said to me:

“You are my son;

today I have begotten you.

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

and your possession the ends of the earth.

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.

Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath,

And vex them in his sore displeasure.

Yet have I set my king

Upon my holy hill of Zion.

I will declare the decree:

The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son;

This day have I begotten thee.

Ask of me,

And I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance,

And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.