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 plot 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 take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his Anointed, saying,

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

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

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

He who sits 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 he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath:

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

“Yet I have set my King on 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. Yahweh said to me, “You are my son. Today I have become your father.

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 the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.

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

You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall 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, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

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

Serve Yahweh 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!

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.