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Psalm 2: A Warning to Kings and Judges
from Psalms in Focus
A Warning to Kings and Judges
1 Why do The pagan nations rage, The people plot in vain, 2 The kings of the earth take their stand, and The rulers take counsel together Against the L and Against his anointed? They say, 3 “Let us break their chains and cast away their cords.” 4 He who is enthroneda in the heavens laughs;
The Lord scoffs at them. 5 In time he will Speak to them in his wrath, saying, Terrify them with his fury, 6 “I, yes I, have installed my king in Zion, upon my holy hill.” 7 I will proclaim the L’s decree, for he has said to me, “You are my son; Today I have become your father.b 8 Ask me, and I will make The pagan nations your inheritance and The ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will break them with a rod of iron and shatter them like pottery.” 10 Now therefore, you kings, Be wise.
You rulers of the earth, Be warned: 11 Serve the L with fear; Rejoice with trembling; 12 Kiss the son,c So he will not be angry and you will not perish while on your way, For his wrath lights up quickly.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
PSALM 2:10–12
As in the psalmist’s day, many modern world leaders enjoy wielding power. They think that serving the Lord God would be as demeaning
a Literally, “who sits.” b Literally, “I am becoming your father,” or “I am fathering you,” in the sense of doing the things a father does to raise his child. c “Kiss the son”: a metaphor for giving homage to a ruler.
