1 W hy are the nations so shaken up and the people planning foolish things?

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 stand in a line ready to fight, and all the leaders are against the Lord and against His Chosen One.

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 T hey say, “Let us break their chains and throw them away from us.”

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

4 H e Who sits in the heavens laughs. The Lord makes fun of them.

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

5 T hen He will speak to them in His anger and make them afraid, saying,

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

6 “ But as for Me, I have set My King on Zion, My holy mountain.”

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

7 I will make known the words of the Lord. He said to Me, “You are My Son. Today I have become Your Father.

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 will give the nations for you to own. The ends of the earth will belong to You.

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

9 Y ou will break them using a piece of iron. And they will be broken in pieces like pots of clay.”

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

10 S o, kings, be wise. Listen, you rulers 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 be full of joy as you shake in fear.

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

12 K iss the Son. Be afraid that He may be angry and destroy you in the way. For His anger is quick. Happy are all who 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!