Psalms 2
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Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
Psalm 2:1-12
The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed
1Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
2The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
3“Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
4He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
5Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6“As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”
7I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
8Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
9You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
10Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
ESV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Psalm 2:1-12
Psalm 2
1Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
2The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
3“Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”
4The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6“I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
7I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have become your father.
8Ask me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9You will break them with a rod of iron;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
10Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
NIV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Commentary
Men of corrupt hearts plot wickedness, as if there were no overruling Providence to cross their designs, but he that sits in the heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall have them in derision. See Ps 2:4.
Throughout the Scriptures Babylon took counsel and laid out plans to attempt to root out God’s anointed. We first see this played out in the story of Cain and Abel. Cain was wicked and became angry against his brother and killed him. We see it in the story of Joseph where his brothers thought to kill him but instead sold him as a slave to Midianites.
We see this in the final days of Jesus' life when he was cruelly murdered at the hand of wicked men. We will see this again soon, when those who honor the law of God will experience a death decree for their final destruction. The God of Israel will interpose for the deliverance of His chosen. The God we serve is a great Deliverer and whoever touches us touches the apple of His eye.
To all those who lead, serve and minister comes the clarion call of verse 10-- to understand and deal prudently, to live, work and serve the Lord with fear and moral reverence.
Tess Watson
