Psalm 2–3

Psalm 2

¹Why are the nations so angry?

Why do they waste their time with futile plans?

²The kings of the earth prepare for battle;

the rulers plot together

against the Lord

and against his anointed one.

³“Let us break their chains,” they cry,

“and free ourselves from slavery to God.”

⁴But the one who rules in heaven laughs.

The Lord scoffs at them.

⁵Then in anger he rebukes them,

terrifying them with his fierce fury.

⁶For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne

in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”

⁷The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:

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

Today I have become your Father.

⁸Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,

the whole earth as your possession.

⁹You will break them with an iron rod

and smash them like clay pots.’ ”

¹⁰Now then, you kings, act wisely!

Be warned, you rulers of the earth!

¹¹Serve the Lord with reverent fear,

and rejoice with trembling.

¹²Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry,

and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—

for his anger flares up in an instant.

But what joy for all who take refuge in him!

Psalm 3

A psalm of David, regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom.

¹O Lord, I have so many enemies;

so many are against me.

²So many are saying,

“God will never rescue him!”

Interlude

³But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;

you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.

⁴I cried out to the Lord,

and he answered me from his holy mountain.

Interlude

⁵I lay down and slept,

yet I woke up in safety,

for the Lord was watching over me.

⁶I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies

who surround me on every side.

⁷Arise, O Lord!

Rescue me, my God!

Slap all my enemies in the face!

Shatter the teeth of the wicked!

⁸Victory comes from you, O Lord.

May you bless your people.

Interlude