Psalm 2 envisions that many vassal kings of Israel’s empire are busy planning a united rebellion against the Davidic rulership. The psalm opens with the surprised question: “Why do the nations rage [conspire, RSV] and the peoples plot in vain?” The tension of the situation is portrayed dramatically by the poetic style of introducing both parties—the nations and the Lord—declaring what is on their minds. Because “the nations” are not identified specifically, the impression