Tonight at the church we will be breaking down Psalm chapter 2 into its component parts. I thought we might do the same together here on Lillie-Put. Let’s start by reading the chapter in three diferent versions.
Psalm 2 NLT
1 Why are the nations so angry?
Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.
3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry,
“and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then in anger he rebukes them,
terrifying them with his fierce fury.
6 For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne
in Jerusalem,[a] on my holy mountain.”
7 The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:
“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son.[b]
Today I have become your Father.[c]
8 Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
the whole earth as your possession.
9 You will break[d] them with an iron rod
and smash them like clay pots.’”
10 Now then, you kings, act wisely!
Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
11 Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Submit to God’s royal son,[e] or he will become angry,
and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—
for his anger flares up in an instant.
But what joy for all who take refuge in him!
KJVPsalm 2
King James Version (KJV)
2 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts 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.
10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
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.
NIV Psalm 2
1 Why do the nations conspire[a]
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 “I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have become your father.
8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron[b];
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
We begin our study with this question:
What words did you notice were different in each version?
Lillie-Put 
Hey Pastor J – Love this Psalm. I know it well in the KJV, and have read it a few times in the NIV, so the NLT was new to me. Verse 3 struck me – instead of just saying break the chains it actually says break free from Slavery to God. Strikes me because the ones speaking are in rebellion and not serving God in the least. In verse 12 – Submit to the King’s Son – good explanation of Kiss the Son.
I love that contrast – man says “I will no longer submit to God” in verse 3, which he was not doing, and the solution to his need and problem is ‘sumbit to the kings son’ in verse 12.
We do get it backwards, don’t we?
Thanks Pastor J. Good to read these 3 versions. Opens it up for me.
Ben
These are some really good observations Ben. It has always interested me that the people who say “Break free from slavery to God” are themselves unwitting slaves of an far more demanding task master.
I agree with you we so often get it backwards.
I notice the difference in verse one nations so angry, heathen rage, and the nations conspire. All of which have anger suggests someone has been wronged infuriated, heathen is throwing insults and conspire is plotting against. Even though each translation can be interpreted differently the second verse is pretty much the same in that the kings of the earth are plotting together against God. Thanks, Pastor J for pointing all three versions because I have never looked at the different versions to compare. Another step I am learning His Word. I look forwar to this series.
Yes. Isn’t it interesting that the Kings of the earth are conspiring as though God had done something bad to them. They rage because of some misperception of the work of God on the Earth.