1 W hy do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing?

Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing?

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 stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,

3 “ Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.”

“Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!”

4 H e who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.

He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them.

5 T hen He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure:

Then He will speak to them in His anger And terrify them in His fury, saying,

6 “ Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.”

“But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

7 “ I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.

“I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.

8 A sk of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.

‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.

9 Y ou shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”

‘You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”

10 N ow therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth.

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

Worship the Lord with reverence And rejoice with trembling.

12 K iss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!