Psalm 2/Notes/Verbal.v. 1.77857
The verbal conjugations in vv 1-2 form a chiasm:
qatal (v. 1a), yiqtol (v. 1b), yiqtol (v. 2a), qatal (v. 2b).
The meaningful difference between the two forms in this context is difficult to determine, however.[1] Most translations smooth out the differences by translating all of the verbs using the same tense. Most English translations, for example, use a series of four present-tense verbs. The Septuagint uses four past tense (aorist) verbs "Why did the nations grow insolent and peoples contemplate... stood... gathered" (NETS). Others have tried to determine some meaningful difference between the forms in these verses. According to Niccacci, the alternation of qatal-yiqtol in these verses, in addition to creating the chiasm, "is likely intended to add depth of field to the presentation of the event."[2] He argues that the first clause of each verse presents foreground information, and the second clause of each verse presents background information—all within a past-tense time frame. He thus translates these verses as follows: "Why did the nations conspire, while the peoples were plotting in vain? <Why> were the kings of the earth setting themselves, while the rulers took counsel together...".[3] Another way to express a meaningful difference between the qatals and yiqtols is to understand the yiqtols as modals: "Why are nations in an uproar, and [why] would peoples plot emptiness?" This interpretation would allow us explain the difference between the verbal forms in a way that respects the semantic contribution of each form (qatal as typically past/perfective/realis; yiqtol as typically future/imperfective/irrealis) and works well in the context (see esp. the initial interrogative pronoun לָמָּה; cf. 1 Sam 19:5, 17, 28; Jer 40:15; BDB: "with an impf., often deprecating, or introducing rhetorically, the reason why something should, or should not, be done, why should …?" Finally, another interpretation of the yiqtol's would be to understand them as expressing the ongoing nature of the events: "[why] do peoples plot emptiness...?" (The first qatal verb רָגְשׁוּ is understood as semantically stative and is thus translated with the present tense; cf. HALOT: "to be restless;" Gesenius 2013, 1220: "unruhig sein").