Psalms 2

KJV · Chapter 2/150

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

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

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

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

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

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

7I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

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

9Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

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

11Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12Kiss 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.

📖 Chapter study

Summary

The nations rebel against the LORD and against his anointed one (the king), but God laughs at the conspiracy because he has already established his King in Zion; the psalm closes with an appeal for the kings of the earth to submit to this King before it is too late.

Explanation

This is a royal psalm, likely used at the enthronement of the kings of Judah in Jerusalem, when the new king was declared God's 'son' (a form of royal adoption language common in the ancient Near East, not a claim of literal divine origin). Over time, Jewish and later Christian tradition came to read this psalm as a greater messianic promise, pointing to a definitive King. Its central message is that no organized human power can overturn God's plan — kingdoms rise and fall, but what he establishes endures. This invites humility before projects that oppose values such as justice and truth.

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