Psalm 2
A Psalm for a Royal Coronation
1 Why do the nations protest
and the peoples conspire in vain?
2 Kings on earth rise up
and princes plot together
against the Lord and against his anointed one:
3 “Let us break their shackles
and cast off their chains from us!”
4 The one enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord derides them,
5 Then he speaks to them in his anger,
in his wrath he terrifies them:
6 “I myself have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
7 I will proclaim the decree of the Lord,
he said to me, “You are my son;
today I have begotten you.
8 Ask it of me,
and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
and, as your possession, the ends of the earth.
9 With an iron rod you will shepherd them,
like a potter’s vessel you will shatter them.”
10 And now, kings, give heed;
take warning, judges on earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear;
exult with trembling,
Accept correction
lest he become angry and you perish along the way
when his anger suddenly blazes up.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him!