Psalm 2
New Living Translation
Chapter overview
Psalm 2 portrays nations resisting divine rule while God's anointed king stands secure on Zion. Earthly power is warned toward wisdom, humble service, and refuge rather than futile defiance before divine authority.
KingshipZionNationsRefuge
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!
New Living Translation — Licensed through API.Bible, non-commercial use only, no derivatives. Where these translations come from.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Text unchanged, provided through API.Bible.