Psalm 2 Translations
Back to Psalm 2
Close-but-Clear[1]
1 Why have nations thronged,
and (why do) peoples mutter emptiness?
2 Kings of earth are standing,
and rulers have conspired together
against YHWH and against his anointed one.
3 “Let us tear off their bonds,
and let us throw their ropes from us.”
4 The one enthroned in the heavens laughs.
The Lord mocks them.
5 Then he speaks to them in his wrath,
and he dismays them with his anger.
6 “But I have cast my king (as my image)
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
7 Let me recount the decree.
YHWH said to me, "You are my son.
I have become your father today.
8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance
and the ends of the earth your property.
9 You will crush them with an iron sceptre.
You will smash them like a potter’s vessel."
10 And now, kings, be wise.
Accept discipline, rulers of earth.
11 Serve YHWH with fear
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the son, lest he become angry and you perish in your conduct,
for his anger rages easily.
Happy are all who take refuge in him.
Synthesis[2]
- 1 Why are all these nations gathered together?
- Why do they waste their time plotting?
- 2 Why would kings of earth band together in rebellion
- against YHWH and his anointed king?
- 3 “Let’s rip off their restraints.
- Let’s throw away their chains!”
- 4 The God who reigns in heaven laughs.
- The Lord of all derides them.
- 5 Now he speaks to them in wrath.
- He terrifies them with anger.
- 6 “I have installed my king as my cast image
- on Zion, my sacred mountain.”
- 7 I will declare the decree:
- YHWH said to me, "You are my son.
- Today, I’ve become your father.
- 8 Just ask, and I will give you nations for your inheritance
- and make the whole world your property.
- 9 You will crush them with an iron sceptre
- and shatter them like pottery."
- 10 Now then, you kings, wise up!
- Receive this rebuke, you earthly rulers!
- 11 Serve YHWH with reverence!
- Shout for joy and shake with fear!
- 12 Kiss the son, lest he become angry and you come to an end,
- for his anger flares up quickly.
- Here’s to all who shelter in him!
- Ancient Versions
- Modern Versions
Notes
- ↑ The close-but-clear translation exists to provide a window into the Hebrew text (syntax as well as word and phrase level semantics) for non-Hebrew readers of the Psalms: Layer by Layer materials. It is intended as a supplement to these materials rather than a stand-alone translation.
- ↑ Whereas the close-but-clear translation aims for accuracy and clarity in representing the syntax and word-phrase level semantics of the Hebrew text, the synthesis translation takes into account the higher levels of analysis (discourse and poetics) and aims to present the text in more natural English.