1 W hy do the nations assemble with commotion, and why do the people imagine (meditate upon and devise) an empty scheme?

Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?

2 T he kings of the earth take their places; the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and His Anointed One (the Messiah, the Christ). They say,

The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against Jehovah, and against his anointed, saying,

3 L et us break Their bands asunder and cast Their cords from us.

Let us break their bonds asunder, And cast away their cords from us.

4 H e Who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision.

He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh: The Lord will have them in derision.

5 H e speaks to them in His deep anger and troubles (terrifies and confounds) them in His displeasure and fury, saying,

Then will he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure:

6 Y et have I anointed (installed and placed) My King on My holy hill of Zion.

Yet I have set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.

7 I will declare the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, You are My Son; this day I have begotten You.

I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my son; This day have I begotten thee.

8 A sk of Me, and I will give You the nations as Your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth as Your possession.

Ask of me, and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

9 Y ou shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like potters’ ware.

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

10 N ow therefore, O you kings, act wisely; be instructed and warned, O you rulers of the earth.

Now therefore be wise, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11 S erve the Lord with reverent awe and worshipful fear; rejoice and be in high spirits with trembling.

Serve Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling.

12 K iss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in the way, for soon shall His wrath be kindled. O blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are all those who seek refuge and put their trust in Him!

Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, For his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they that take refuge in him.