Psalms 2

The LORD’s Anointed King and the Nations’ Futile Rebellion

Nations rebel -> LORD reigns -> King receives decree -> rulers are summoned to wise refuge

World English Bible, Public Domain

The nations rage, peoples plot, kings stand, and rulers gather, but their conspiracy is vain because it opposes the LORD.

Psalm 2:1–3

The nations conspire in vain against the authority of God and His Anointed One.

1 Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his Anointed, saying,

3 “Let’s break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us.”

The LORD sits in heaven, laughs at the rebellion, speaks in wrath, and declares His King installed on Zion.

Psalm 2:4–6

The plots of men are met with the laughter of God and the irreversible installation of His King.

4 He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision.

5 Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath:

6 “Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”

The King’s sonship, inheritance, and authority come from the LORD’s decree.

Psalm 2:7–9

The Messiah's reign is validated by God's decree of Sonship, granting him the authority to inherit the world and judge the rebellious.

7 I will tell of the decree: Yahweh said to me, “You are my son. Today I have become your father.

8 Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.

9 You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

The rulers are commanded to be wise, serve the LORD, honor the Son, and take refuge in Him.

Psalm 2:10–12

The only escape from the King's righteous wrath is found through humble submission and refuge in the King Himself.

10 Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

11 Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish on the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.

Key Terms

גּוֹיִם goyim H1471
יֶהְגּוּ yehgu H1897
רִיק riq H7385
מְשִׁיחוֹ meshicho H4899
נָסַכְתִּי nasakhti H5258
מַלְכִּי malki H4428
צִיּוֹן Tsiyyon H6726
חֹק choq H2706
בְּנִי beni H1121
נַחֲלָתֶךָ nachalatekha H5159
שֵׁבֶט shevet H7626
עִבְדוּ ivdu H5647

World English Bible (WEB): Public Domain Scripture text · License details