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Psalms 2

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1Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?

2The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against Jehovah, and against his anointed, saying,

3Let us break their bonds asunder, And cast away their cords from us.

4He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh: The Lord will have them in derision.

5Then will he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure:

6Yet I have set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.

7I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my son; This day have I begotten thee.

8Ask of me, and I will givetheethe nations for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

9Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

10Now therefore be wise, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11Serve Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling.

12Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, For his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they that take refuge in him.

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Parallel translations · Psalms 2:1

WEB · World English Bible (2000)

Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?

KJV · King James Version (1611)

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

ASV · American Standard Version (1901)

Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?

BBE · Bible in Basic English (1949)

Why are the nations so violently moved, and why are the thoughts of the people so foolish?

YLT · Young's Literal Translation (1862)

Why have nations tumultuously assembled? And do peoples meditate vanity?

DRA · Douay-Rheims (Challoner) (1752)

Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things?

DBY · Darby Bible (1890)

Why are the nations in tumultuous agitation, and [why] do the peoples meditate a vain thing?

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Key cross-references

From the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — verses that illuminate Psalms 2:1.

  • Acts 4:25

    who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say, Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples imagine vain things?

  • Luke 18:32

    For he shall be delivered up unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and shamefully treated, and spit upon:

  • Psalms 46:6

    The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered his voice, the earth melted.

  • Acts 16:22

    And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods.

  • Matthew 21:38

    But the husbandmen, when they saw the son, said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and take his inheritance.

  • Acts 5:33

    But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were minded to slay them.

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Psalms 3

"Jehovah, how are mine adversaries increased! Many are they that rise up against me."