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2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
2:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
2:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
2:10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
2:12 Kiss 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.



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From the Great Bible, 1540 edition (known as Cranmer's Bible). Set in the Book of Common Prayer, 1662, for Morning Prayer on the first day of the month.

PSALM 2. Quare fremuerunt gentes?

  1. Why do the heathen so furiously rage together : and why do the people imagine a vain thing?
  2. The kings of the earth stand up, and the rulers take counsel together : against the Lord, and against his Anointed.
  3. Let us break their bonds asunder : and cast away their cords from us.
  4. He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn : the Lord shall have them in derision.
  5. shall he speak unto them in his wrath : and vex them in his sore displeasure.
  6. I have set my King : upon my holy hill of Sion.
  7. will preach the law, whereof the Lord hath said unto me : Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
  8. of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance: and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.
  9. Thou shalt bruise them with a rod of iron : and break them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
  10. wise now therefore, O ye kings : be learned, ye that are judges of the earth.
  11. the Lord in fear : and rejoice unto him with reverence.
  12. the Son, lest he be angry, and so ye perish from the right way : if his wrath be kindled, (yea, but a little,) blessed are all they that put their trust in him.



From the Vulgate:

  1. Quare turbabuntur gentes et tribus meditabuntur inania?
  2. Consurgent reges terrae et principes tractabunt pariter adversum Dominum et adversum christum eius.
  3. Disrumpamus vincula eorum et proiciamus a nobis laqueos eorum.
  4. Habitator caeli ridebit Dominus subsannabit eos.
  5. Tunc loquetur ad eos in ira sua et in furore suo conturbabit eos.
  6. Ego autem orditus sum regem meum super Sion montem sanctum suum adnuntiabo Dei praeceptum.
  7. Dominus dixit ad me filius meus es tu ego hodie genui te.
  8. Postula a me et dabo tibi gentes hereditatem tuam et possessionem tuam terminos terrae.
  9. Pasces eos in virga ferrea ut vas figuli conteres eos.
  10. Nunc ergo reges intellegite erudimini iudices terrae.
  11. Servite Domino in timore et exultate in tremore.
  12. Adorate pure ne forte irascatur et pereatis de via.
  13. Cum exarserit post paululum furor eius beati omnes qui sperant in eum.



From Breviarium Romanum, 1910:

  1. Quare fremuérunt Gentes, * et pópuli meditáti sunt ináni?
  2. Astitérunt reges terræ, et príncipes convenérunt in unum * advérsus dóminum, et advérsus Christum ejus.
  3. Dirumpámus vincula eórum: * et projiciámus a nobis jugum ipsórum.
  4. Qui hábitat in cœlis, irridébit eos: * et Dóminus subsann´bit eos.
  5. Tunc loquétur ad eos in ira sua, * et in furóre suo conturbábit eos.
  6. Ego autem constitútus sum Rex ab eo super Sion montem sanctum ejus, * prǽdicans præcéptum ejus.
  7. Dóminus dixit ad me: * Fílius meus es tu, ego hódie génui te.
  8. Póstula ad me, et dabo tibi Gentes hæreditátem tuam, * et possessiónem tuam téminos terræ.
  9. Reges eos in virga férrea, * et tamquam vas fíguli confrínges eos.
  10. Et nunc reges intellígite: * erudímini qui judicátis terram.
  11. Servíte Domino in timóre: et exsultáte ei cum tremóre.
  12. Apprehéndite discipulínam, nequándo irascátur Dóminus, * et pereátis de via justa.
  13. Cum exárserit in brevi ira ejus, * beáti omnes qui confídunt in eo.



The psalm in either case may be followed by the Gloria Patri.



Notes: This psalm is often considered as a direct continuation of Psalm 1. Verse 12's English rendition as 'Kiss the Son' is not coherent with the Hebrew, which uses bar, which means 'son' in Aramaic, not Hebrew - v. 7 uses ben, which is Hebrew. There is also no article in v. 12. A more likely translation - given in the Vulgate - is 'Kiss in purity'.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Psalms
Book: Psalms
Chapter: 2

Overview:
Threatenings against the enemies of Christ's kingdom. (1-6)
Promise to Christ as the Head of this kingdom. (7-9) Counsel to
all, to Espouse its interests. (10-12)

1-6 We are here told who would appear as adversaries to Christ.
As this world is the kingdom of Satan, unconverted men, of every
rank, party, and character, are stirred up By him to oppose the
cause of God. But the rulers of the Earth generally have been
most active. The truths and precepts of Christianity are against
ambitious projects and worldly lusts. We are told what they aim
at in this opposition. They would break asunder the Bands of
Conscience, and the cords of God's Commandments; they will not
receive, but cast them away as far as they can. These enemies
can show No good cause for opposing So just and holy a
government, which, if received By all, would bring a Heaven upon
Earth. They can Hope for No success in So opposing So powerful a
kingdom. The Lord Jesus has all power both in Heaven and in
Earth, and is Head over all things to the Church,
notwithstanding the restless endeavours of his enemies. Christ's
Throne is set up in his Church, that is, in the hearts of all
believers.

7-9 The kingdom of the Messiah is founded upon an eternal
decree of God the Father. This our Lord Jesus often referred to,
as what he governed himself By. God hath said unto him, Thou art
my Son, and it becomes each of us to say to him, Thou art my
Lord, my Sovereign'. The Son, in asking the Heathen for his
inheritance, desires their happiness in him; So that he pleads
for them, ever lives to do So, and is able to save to the
uttermost, and he shall have multitudes of willing, loyal
subjects, among them. Christians are the possession of the Lord
Jesus; they are to him for a name and a praise. God the Father
gives them to him, when, By his Spirit and Grace, he Works upon
them to submit to the Lord Jesus.

10-12 Whatever we rejoice in, in this world, it must always be
with trembling, because of the uncertainty of all things in it.
To welcome Jesus Christ, and to submit to him, is our Wisdom and
interest. Let him be very dear and precious; Love him above all,
Love him in sincerity, Love him much, as she did, to whom much
was forgiven, and, in token of it, kissed his feet, Lu 7:38.
And with a Kiss of loyalty take this Yoke upon you, and give up
yourselves to be governed By his laws, disposed of By his
Providence, and entirely devoted to his cause. Unbelief is a Sin
against the remedy. It will be utter Destruction to yourselves;
lest ye perish in the way of your sins, and from the way of your
vain hopes; lest your way perish, lest you prove to have missed
the way of happiness. Christ is the way; take heed lest ye be
cut off from Him as your way to God. They thought themselves in
the way; but neglecting Christ, they perish from it. Blessed
will those be in the Day of wrath, who, By trusting in Christ,
have made him their Refuge.

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