Psalm 2
The Futility of Human Rebellion
The nations and their rulers conspire against God, only to face His divine laughter and righteous judgment.
Why are the nations raging like this? Why do they devise such vanity? The kings and earthly princes rise against the Lord's majesty. They have all gathered against the Lord and his Anointed—understand this: they have assembled, joined forces, and formed a council. They say, “Let us tear off and cast away their chains and yoke from our bodies.” But God will rise against them, laughing at them and mocking all they do.1 Then he will turn his anger against them and terrify them with his stern rebuke; he will bring them anguish and deepen their distress when his fury falls upon them.
The Decree of the Anointed King
God establishes His chosen King on Zion and grants Him authority over the nations to judge the wicked.
God has chosen to make me king; I will reign forever over Mount Zion. Pay attention to this: I will faithfully proclaim his decree.✦ God said to me—as you might hear—"Today I have begotten you. Ask me, and I will give you the nations and dominion over the world." You will punish them with an iron rod; you will destroy them, mighty God—those who persecute you and the righteous. You will shatter them like a clay pot.✦
A Call to Wisdom and Reverence
Earthly rulers are exhorted to serve the Lord with fear and find blessing in trusting Him before His wrath is kindled.
You kings who rule this world, take this to heart. You judges, do your best to understand it and accept this teaching.✦ Serve the Lord at all times with reverence, and you will find joy. Hold fast to his teaching and his Son, so that you remain on the right path. When his anger is kindled, blessed are those who trust in God. When God swiftly brings judgment, blessed is the one who puts their faith in him.
Read the original Latin
WAer om so rasen die heydensche minschen? Waer om bedenckense ydelheyt? Die Coningen en die aertsce Prinschen Staen tegen des Heren maiesteyt.
Al tegens den Heere zijn si ghecomen En sinen ghesalfden dit verstaet Bieen vergadert, sy hebben ghenomen, En hebben ghesloten eenen raet.
Si seggen, laet ons vernielen, verwerpen Haer banden, haer rock, al van ons lijf Maer God die salder hem tegens scherpen Belachen, bespotten haer bedrijf.
Dan sal hi tot haer zijn gramscap keeren Veruaerense met eenen straffen moet Hi salse benauwen, en druck vermeeren Wanneer hy op haer sal zijn verwoet.
God heeft my een coninc willen setten Die ouer den berch van Syon sel Altijt regneren, wilt daer op letten Sijn gheboden sal ick preken wel.
God sprac tot mi (ghi moghet horen) Op heden heb ick v voort ghebracht Begheert van mi, ick gheef v te voren Die heydenen, en des werelts macht.
Ghi sultse castyen met yseren roeden Ghi sultse vernielen o stercke God Die v veruolghen en den goeden, Ghi breectse ghelijck eenen aerden pot
Ghi coningen hier ter werelt gheseten Wilt dit ter herten laten gaen Ghi rechters poocht v om dit te weten En wilt dese leeringhe nemen aen.
Den Heere wilt dienen tallen tijden Met vreese, so wilt ghenuechte ontfaen Sijn leeringe, zijn soon en laet niet gliden Op dat ghi blijft ter rechter baen.
Als sinen toorn sal wesen ontsteken Wel hen die God betrouwen dan In corter stont als God wil wreken Wel hem die in hem gheloouen can.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Ps.2.6-Ps.2.7 — But I have installed my king on Zion, my holy hill. Ps.2.7 — I will tell of the decree. The LORD said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you.
- ↩Ps.2.9 — You will shatter them with a rod of iron; like a potter's vessel you will dash them to pieces.
- ↩Ps.2.10 — And now, O kings, be wise; be warned, O judges of the earth.
Notes
- 1 ↩The archaic Dutch “rock” is understood here as a binding or yoke, parallel to “banden,” rather than literally as a garment.
Souterliedekens (Psalm Songs) companion
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