PSALM 2

1 Why do the nations conspire,

and the peoples plot in vain?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers take counsel together,

against the Lord and his anointed, saying,

3 “Let us burst their bonds asunder,

and cast their cords from us.”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;

the Lord has them in derision.

5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,

and terrify them in his fury, saying,

6 “I have set my king

on Zion, my holy hill.”

7 I will tell of the decree of the Lord:

He said to me, “You are my son,

today I have begotten you.

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

and the ends of the earth your possession.

9 You shall break them with a rod of iron,

and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;

be warned, O rulers of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear,

with trembling 12 kiss his feet,*

lest he be angry, and you perish in the way;

for his wrath is quickly kindled.

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

PSALM 3

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

1 O Lord, how many are my foes!

Many are rising against me;

2 many are saying of me,

there is no help for him in God. [Selah]

3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield about me,

my glory, and the lifter of my head.

4 I cry aloud to the Lord,

and he answers me from his holy hill. [Selah]

5 I lie down and sleep;

I wake again, for the Lord sustains me.

6 I am not afraid of ten thousands of people

who have set themselves against me round about.

7 Arise, O Lord!

Deliver me, O my God!

For thou dost smite all my enemies on the cheek,

thou dost break the teeth of the wicked.

8 Deliverance belongs to the Lord;

thy blessing be upon thy people! [Selah]