Psalms 2
What Happens in This Chapter
This psalm is a song about kings and rulers who plan to throw off God's rule and his chosen king. God laughs at their plans and says he has placed his own king on Zion, the hill in Jerusalem. The king then repeats God's promise to give him the nations. The psalm ends by telling the rulers of the earth to serve God and trust him.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
1Why are the nations so angry? Why do people make plans that will never work?
2The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
2Kings of the earth get ready to fight. Their rulers meet together. They plan against the LORD and against the king he chose. They say:
"His anointed" means the king God picked. Oil was poured on a new king's head to show he was chosen.
3Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
3"Let us break their chains. Let us throw their ropes away from us."
4He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
4The One who sits on his throne in heaven laughs. The Lord makes fun of their plan.
5Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
5Then he speaks to them in anger. His anger fills them with fear.
6Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
6God says, "I have placed my king on Zion, my holy hill."
Zion is the hill in Jerusalem where Israel's king lived.
7I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
7I will tell you what the LORD said to me. He said, "You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.
8Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
8Ask me, and I will give you the nations. The far ends of the earth will be yours.
9Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
9You will break them with an iron rod. You will smash them like a clay pot."
10Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
10So be wise now, you kings. Listen and learn, you judges of the earth.
11Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
11Serve the LORD, and honor him. Be glad, and shake with wonder.
12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
12Kiss the Son to show you are loyal. If you do not, he will be angry. Then you will die on the road you chose. His anger can start in a moment. But everyone who trusts him is safe and glad.
Long ago, people kissed a king's hand or foot. It was a way to say, "I am on your side."
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