Psalm 2 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed

(Act 4:23–31 )

Psa 2:1Why do the nations rage[fn]
and the peoples plot in vain?

Psa 2:2The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,

Psa 2:3

Psa 2:3“Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”

Psa 2:4

Psa 2:4He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.

Psa 2:5

Psa 2:5Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,

Psa 2:6

Psa 2:6“As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”

Psa 2:7

Psa 2:7I will tell of the decree:
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.

Psa 2:8

Psa 2:8Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.

Psa 2:9

Psa 2:9You shall break[fn] them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

Psa 2:10

Psa 2:10Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.

Psa 2:11

Psa 2:11Serve the LORD with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.

Psa 2:12

Psa 2:12Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

See the ESV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

ESV Footnotes

(2:1)

Or nations noisily assemble

(2:9)

Revocalization yields (compare Septuagint) You shall rule

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

See detailed copyright information.

For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.