Psalm 2–3

Psalm 2

¹Why do the nations conspire^a

and the peoples plot^w in vain?

²The kings^x of the earth rise up

and the rulers band together

against the Lord and against his anointed,^y saying,

³“Let us break their chains^z

and throw off their shackles.”^a

⁴The One enthroned^b in heaven laughs;^c

the Lord scoffs at them.

⁵He rebukes them in his anger^d

and terrifies them in his wrath,^e saying,

⁶“I have installed my king^f

on Zion,^g my holy mountain.^h”

⁷I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;ⁱ

today I have become your father.^j

⁸Ask me,

and I will make the nations^k your inheritance,^l

the ends of the earth^m your possession.

⁹You will break them with a rod of iron^b;ⁿ

you will dash them to pieces^o like pottery.^p”

¹⁰Therefore, you kings, be wise;^q

be warned, you rulers^r of the earth.

¹¹Serve the Lord with fear^s

and celebrate his rule^t with trembling.^u

¹²Kiss his son,^v or he will be angry

and your way will lead to your destruction,

for his wrath^w can flare up in a moment.

Blessed^x are all who take refuge^y in him.

Psalm 3^a

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

¹Lord, how many are my foes!

How many rise up against me!

²Many are saying of me,

“God will not deliver him.^a”^b

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

my glory, the One who lifts my head high.^c

⁴I call out to the Lord,^d

and he answers me from his holy mountain.^e

⁵I lie down and sleep;^f

I wake again,^g because the Lord sustains me.

⁶I will not fear^h though tens of thousands

assail me on every side.ⁱ

⁷Arise,^j Lord!

Deliver me,^k my God!

Strike^l all my enemies on the jaw;

break the teeth^m of the wicked.

⁸From the Lord comes deliverance.ⁿ

May your blessing^o be on your people.