Bible History
Bible History

Psalm 2 - New English Translation (NET)

You are here: Home New English Translation (NET) Psalm 2

Psalm 2[a]

2 Why[b] do the nations rebel?[c]
Why[d] are the countries[e] devising[f] plots that will fail?[g]
2 The kings of the earth[h] form a united front;[i]
the rulers collaborate[j]
against the Lord and his anointed king.[k]
3 They say,[l] “Let’s tear off the shackles they’ve put on us.[m]
Let’s free ourselves from[n] their ropes.”
4 The one enthroned[o] in heaven laughs in disgust;[p]
the Lord taunts[q] them.
5 Then he angrily speaks to them
and terrifies them in his rage,[r] saying,[s]
6 “I myself[t] have installed[u] my king
on Zion, my holy hill.”
7 The king says,[v] “I will announce the Lord’s decree. He said to me:[w]
‘You are my son.[x] This very day I have become your father.
8 Ask me,
and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,[y]
the ends of the earth as your personal property.
9 You will break them[z] with an iron scepter;[aa]
you will smash them like a potter’s jar.’”[ab]
10 So now, you kings, do what is wise;[ac]
you rulers of the earth, submit to correction.[ad]
11 Serve[ae] the Lord in fear.
Repent in terror.[af]
12 Give sincere homage.[ag]
Otherwise he[ah] will be angry,[ai]
and you will die because of your behavior,[aj]
when his anger quickly ignites.[ak]
How blessed[al] are all who take shelter in him![am]

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 2:1 sn Psalm 2. In this royal psalm the author asserts the special status of the divinely chosen Davidic king and warns the nations and their rulers to submit to the authority of God and his chosen vice-regent.
  2. Psalm 2:1 tn The question is rhetorical. Rather than seeking information, the psalmist expresses his outrage that the nations would have the audacity to rebel against God and his chosen king.
  3. Psalm 2:1 tn The Hebrew verb רָגַשׁ (ragash) occurs only here. In Dan 6:6, 11, 15 the Aramaic cognate verb describes several officials acting as a group. A Hebrew nominal derivative is used in Ps 55:14 of a crowd of people in the temple.
  4. Psalm 2:1 tn The interrogative לָמָּה (lammah, “why?”) is understood by ellipsis in the second line.
  5. Psalm 2:1 tn Or “peoples” (so many English versions).
  6. Psalm 2:1 tn The Hebrew imperfect form describes the rebellion as underway. The verb הָגָה (hagah), which means “to recite quietly, meditate,” here has the metonymic nuance “devise, plan, plot” (see Ps 38:12; Prov 24:2).
  7. Psalm 2:1 tn Heb “devising emptiness.” The noun רִיק (riq, “emptiness”) may characterize their behavior as “worthless, morally bankrupt” but more likely refers to the outcome of their plots (i.e., failure). As the rest of the psalm emphasizes, their rebellion will fail.
  8. Psalm 2:2 sn The expression kings of the earth refers somewhat hyperbolically to the kings who had been conquered by and were subject to the Davidic king.
  9. Psalm 2:2 tn Or “take their stand.” The Hebrew imperfect verbal form describes their action as underway.
  10. Psalm 2:2 tn Or “conspire together.” The verbal form is a Niphal from יָסַד (yasad). BDB 413-14 s.v. יָסַד defines the verb as “establish, found,” but HALOT 417 s.v. II יסד proposes a homonym meaning “get together, conspire” (an alternate form of סוּד, sud).
  11. Psalm 2:2 tn Heb “and against his anointed one.” The Davidic king is the referent (see vv. 6-7).
  12. Psalm 2:3 tn The words “they say” are supplied in the translation for clarification. The quotation represents the words of the rebellious kings.
  13. Psalm 2:3 tn Heb “their (i.e., the Lord’s and the king’s) shackles.” The kings compare the rule of the Lord and his vice-regent to being imprisoned.
  14. Psalm 2:3 tn Heb “throw off from us.”
  15. Psalm 2:4 tn Heb “sitting.” The Hebrew verb יָשַׁב (yashav) is here used metonymically of “sitting enthroned” (see Pss 9:7; 29:10; 55:19; 102:12; 123:1).
  16. Psalm 2:4 tn As the next line indicates, this refers to derisive laughter. The Hebrew imperfect verbal forms in vv. 4-5 describe the action from the perspective of an eyewitness who is watching the divine response as it unfolds before his eyes.
  17. Psalm 2:4 tn Or “scoffs at”; “derides”; “mocks.”
  18. Psalm 2:5 sn And terrifies them in his rage. This line focuses on the effect that God’s angry response (see previous line) has on the rebellious kings.
  19. Psalm 2:5 tn The word “saying” is supplied in the translation for clarification to indicate that the speaker is the Lord (cf. RSV, NIV).
  20. Psalm 2:6 tn The first person pronoun appears before the first person verbal form for emphasis, reflected in the translation by “myself.”
  21. Psalm 2:6 tn Or perhaps “consecrated.”
  22. Psalm 2:7 tn The words “the king says” are supplied in the translation for clarification. The speaker is the Lord’s chosen king.
  23. Psalm 2:7 tn Or “I will relate the decree. The Lord said to me” (in accordance with the Masoretic accentuation).
  24. Psalm 2:7 sn ‘You are my son.’ The Davidic king was viewed as God’s “son” (see 2 Sam 7:14; Ps 89:26-27). The idiom reflects ancient Near Eastern adoption language associated with covenants of grant, by which a lord would reward a faithful subject by elevating him to special status, referred to as “sonship.” Like a son, the faithful subject received an “inheritance,” viewed as an unconditional, eternal gift. Such gifts usually took the form of land and/or an enduring dynasty. See M. Weinfeld, “The Covenant of Grant in the Old Testament and in the Ancient Near East,” JAOS 90 (1970): 184-203, for general discussion and some striking extra-biblical parallels.
  25. Psalm 2:8 sn I will give you the nations. The Lord promises the Davidic king universal dominion.
  26. Psalm 2:9 tc The LXX reads “you will shepherd them.” This reading, quoted in the Greek text of the NT in Rev 2:27; 12:5; 19:15, assumes a different vocalization of the consonantal Hebrew text and understands the verb as רָעָה (raʿah, “to shepherd”) rather than רָעָע (raʿaʿ, “to break”). But the presence of נָפַץ (nafats, “to smash”) in the next line strongly favors the MT vocalization.
  27. Psalm 2:9 tn The Hebrew term שֵׁבֶט (shevet) can refer to a “staff” or “rod,” but here it probably refers to the Davidic king’s royal scepter, symbolizing his sovereignty.
  28. Psalm 2:9 sn Like a potter’s jar. Before the Davidic king’s awesome power, the rebellious nations are like fragile pottery.
  29. Psalm 2:10 sn The speaker here is either the psalmist or the Davidic king, who now addresses the rebellious kings.
  30. Psalm 2:10 tn The Niphal has here a tolerative nuance; the kings are urged to submit themselves to the advice being offered.
  31. Psalm 2:11 tn The Hebrew verb translated “serve” refers here to submitting to the Lord’s sovereignty as expressed through the rule of the Davidic king. Such “service” would involve maintaining allegiance to the Davidic king by paying tribute on a regular basis.
  32. Psalm 2:11 tn Traditionally, “rejoice with trembling” (KJV). The verb גִּיל (gil) normally means “rejoice,” but this meaning does not fit well here in conjunction with “in trembling.” Some try to understand “trembling” (and the parallel יִרְאָה, yirʾah, “fear”) in the sense of “reverential awe” and then take the verbs “serve” and “rejoice” in the sense of “worship” (cf. NASB). But רְעָדָה (reʿadah, “trembling”) and its related terms consistently refer to utter terror and fear (see Exod 15:15; Job 4:14; Pss 48:6; 55:5; 104:32; Isa 33:14; Dan 10:11) or at least great emotional distress (Ezra 10:9). It seems more likely here that גִּיל carries its polarized meaning “mourn, lament,” as in Hos 10:5. “Mourn, lament” would then be metonymic in this context for “repent” (referring to one’s rebellious ways). On the meaning of the verb in Hos 10:5, see F. I. Andersen and D. N. Freedman, Hosea (AB), 556-57.
  33. Psalm 2:12 tn Traditionally, “kiss the son” (KJV). But בַּר (bar) is the Aramaic word for “son,” not the Hebrew. For this reason many regard the reading as suspect. Some propose emendations of vv. 11b-12a. One of the more popular proposals is to read בִּרְעָדָה נַשְּׁקוּ לְרַגְלָיו (birʿadah nashequ leraglayv, “in trembling kiss his feet”). It makes better sense to understand בַּר (bar) as an adjective meaning “pure” (see Pss 24:4; 73:1 and BDB 141 s.v. בַּר 3) functioning here in an adverbial sense. If read this way, then the syntactical structure of exhortation (imperative followed by adverbial modifier) corresponds to the two preceding lines (see v. 11). The verb נָשַׁק (nashaq, “kiss”) refers metonymically to showing homage (see 1 Sam 10:1; Hos 13:2). The exhortation in v. 12a advocates a genuine expression of allegiance and warns against insincerity. When swearing allegiance, vassal kings would sometimes do so insincerely, with the intent of rebelling when the time was right. The so-called “Vassal Treaties of Esarhaddon” also warn against such an attitude. In this treaty the vassal is told: “If you, as you stand on the soil where this oath [is sworn], swear the oath with your words and lips [only], do not swear with your entire heart, do not transmit it to your sons who will live after this treaty, if you take this curse upon yourselves but do not plan to keep the treaty of Esarhaddon…may your sons and grandsons because of this fear in the future” (see J. B. Pritchard, ed., The Ancient Near East, 2:62).
  34. Psalm 2:12 tn Throughout the translation of this verse the third person masculine pronouns refer to the Lord (cf. v. 11).
  35. Psalm 2:12 tn The implied subject of the verb is the Lord, mentioned in v. 11. Elsewhere the subject of this verb is consistently the Lord, suggesting it may be a technical term for divine anger. Anger is here used metonymically for judgment, as the following statement makes clear. A Moabite cognate occurs in the Mesha inscription, where it is used of the Moabite god Chemosh’s anger at his people (see J. B. Pritchard, ed., The Ancient Near East, 1:209).
  36. Psalm 2:12 tn Heb “and you will perish [in the] way.” The Hebrew word דֶּרֶךְ (derekh, “way”) here refers to their rebellious behavior (not to a pathway, as often understood). It functions syntactically as an adverbial accusative in relation to the verb “perish.”
  37. Psalm 2:12 tn Or “burns.” The Lord’s anger is compared here to fire, the most destructive force known in ancient Israel.
  38. Psalm 2:12 tn The Hebrew noun is an abstract plural. The word often refers metonymically to the happiness that God-given security and prosperity produce (see Pss 1:1; 34:9; 41:1; 65:4; 84:12; 89:15; 106:3; 112:1; 127:5; 128:1; 144:15).
  39. Psalm 2:12 sn Who take shelter in him. “Taking shelter” in the Lord is an idiom for seeking his protection. Seeking his protection presupposes and even demonstrates the subject’s loyalty to the Lord. In the psalms those who “take shelter” in the Lord are contrasted with the wicked and equated with those who love, fear, and serve the Lord (Pss 5:11-12; 31:17-20; 34:21-22).

You Might Also Like:

Psalm 2 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

2 Why have nations tumultuously assembled? And do peoples meditate vanity? 2 Station themselves do kings of the earth, And princes have been united together, Against Jehovah, and against His Messiah: 3 `Let us draw off Their cords, And cast from us Their thick bands.' 4 He who is sitting in the heav...
Read More

Psalm 2 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

2 Why gnashed with teeth heathen men; and peoples thought vain things? (Why do the heathen gnash with their teeth? and the peoples think up useless plans?) 2 The kings of earth stood together; and princes came together against the Lord, and against his Christ. (The kings of the earth stood together;...
Read More

Psalm 2 - World English Bible (WEB)

2 Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?2 The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his Anointed,[a] saying,3 “Let’s break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us.”4 He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The L...
Read More

Psalm 2 - The Voice (VOICE)

Psalm 21 You are wondering: What has provoked the nations to embrace anger and chaos?[a] Why are the people making plans to pursue their own vacant and empty greatness?2 Leaders of nations stand united; rulers put their heads together, plotting against the Eternal One and His Anointed King, trying t...
Read More

Psalm 2 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Coronation of Messianic KingPsalm 21 Why are the nations in an uproar,and the peoples mutter vanity?2 The kings of earth set themselves up[a]and rulers conspire together[b] against Adonaiand against His Anointed One[c]:3 “Let’s rip their chains apart,and throw their ropes off us!”4 He who sits in he...
Read More

Psalm 2 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

God’s Promise to His Anointed2 [a]Why do the nations conspire,and the peoples plot in vain?2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying,3 “Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the...
Read More

Psalm 2 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

God’s Promise to His Anointed2 Why do the nations conspire,and the peoples plot in vain?2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying,3 “Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the he...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Psalm 2God’s Promise to His Anointed1 Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain?2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying,3 “Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us.” 4 He who sits i...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Psalm 2God’s Promise to His Anointed1 Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain?2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying,3 ‘Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us.’ 4 He who sits i...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Psalm 2God’s Promise to His Anointed1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?(A)2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying,(B)3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast their cords from us.”4 He who sits ...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 21 Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans?2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot togetheragainst the Lord and against his anointed one.3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” 4 But the one wh...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New Life Version (NLV)

God’s Chosen One Will Rule2 Why are the nations so shaken up and the people planning foolish things? 2 The kings of the earth stand in a line ready to fight, and all the leaders are against the Lord and against His Chosen One. 3 They say, “Let us break their chains and throw them away from us.” 4 ...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Messiah’s Triumph and Kingdom(A)2 Why (B)do the [a]nations [b]rage,And the people plot a [c]vain thing?2 The kings of the earth set themselves,And the (C)rulers take counsel together,Against the Lord and against His (D)Anointed,[d] saying,3 “Let (E)us break Their bonds in piecesAnd cast away The...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Psalm 21 Why do the nations conspire[a] and the peoples plot in vain?2 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,3 ‘Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.’ 4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at th...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 21 Why do the nations conspire[a] and the peoples plot(A) in vain?2 The kings(B) of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed,(C) saying,3 “Let us break their chains(D) and throw off their shackles.”(E) 4 The One enthroned(F) in heaven laughs;(G) ...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Psalm 21 Why do the nations plan evil together? Why do they make useless plans?2 The kings of the earth rise up against the Lord. The rulers of the earth join together against his anointed king.3 “Let us break free from their chains,” they say. “Let us throw off their ropes.” 4 The God who sits on h...
Read More

Psalm 2 - New Century Version (NCV)

The Lord’s Chosen King2 Why are the nations so angry? Why are the people making useless plans?2 The kings of the earth prepare to fight, and their leaders make plans togetheragainst the Lord and his appointed one.3 They say, “Let’s break the chains that hold us back and throw off the ropes that tie ...
Read More

61 Bible Translations

Popular Articles

Explore the Bible Like Never Before!

Bible History Online

Bible Study Tools

Top Tags