1  Why are the nations in an uproar? And why do the peoples mutter in vain?

1  Wherefore did the heathen rage, and the nations imagine vain things?

1  Why have the Gentiles been seething, and why have the people been pondering nonsense?

2  The kings of the earth stand up, and the rulers take counsel together, against YHWH, and against His anointed

3  'Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.'

3  saying, Let us break through their bonds, and cast away their yoke from us.

3  “Let us shatter their chains and cast their yoke away from us.”

4  He that sitteth in heaven laugheth, YHWH hath them in derision.

4  He that dwells in the heavens shall laugh them to scorn, and the Lord shall mock them.

4  He who dwells in heaven will ridicule them, and the Lord will mock them.

5  Then will He speak unto them in His wrath, and affright them in His sore displeasure

5  Then shall he speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath and say,

6  'Truly it is I that have established My king upon Zion, My holy mountain.'

6  Yet I have been appointed king by him over Zion, his holy mountain, preaching his precepts.

6  I have appointed my king over Zion, my holy mountain,

7  I will tell of the decree: YHWH said unto me: 'Thou art My son, this day have I begotten thee.

7  The Lord has said to me: You are my son, this day have I begotten you.

8  Ask of Me, and I will give the nations for thine inheritance, and the ends of the earth for thy possession.

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

9  You will rule them with an iron rod, and you will shatter them like a potter’s vessel.

9  You shall shepherd them with a rod of iron; you shall break them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

10  Now therefore, O ye kings, be wise; be admonished, ye judges of the earth.

10  And now, O kings, understand. Receive instruction, you who judge the earth.

11  Serve YHWH with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

11  Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice in him with trembling.

12  Do homage in purity, lest He be angry, and ye perish in the way, when suddenly His wrath is kindled. Happy are all they that take refuge in Him.

12  Accept correction, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and ye should perish from the righteous way: whensoever his wrath shall be suddenly kindled, blessed are all they that trust in him.