1 W hy do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

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

2 T he kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,

The 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,

3 L et us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

Let us break Their bands asunder and cast Their cords from us.

4 H e that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

He Who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision.

5 T hen shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

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

6 Y et have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

Yet have I anointed (installed and placed) My King on 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.

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

8 A sk of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

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

9 T hou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

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

10 B e wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

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

11 S erve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

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

12 K iss 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.

Kiss 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!