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TORAH
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
NEVI'IM
PROPHETS
KETUVIM
WRITINGS

Chapter 2

Translation and Transliteration of 

Listen to this chapter in Hebrew:

1Why do nations assemble, and peoples plot vain things;

אלָמָּה רָגְשׁוּ גוֹיִם וּלְאֻמִּים יֶהְגּוּ־רִיק׃

2kings of the earth take their stand, and regents intrigue together against Hashem and against His anointed?

ביִתְיַצְּבוּ מַלְכֵי־אֶרֶץ וְרוֹזְנִים נוֹסְדוּ־יָחַד עַל־יְהֹוָה וְעַל־מְשִׁיחוֹ׃

3“Let us break the cords of their yoke, shake off their ropes from us!”

גנְנַתְּקָה אֶת־מוֹסְרוֹתֵימוֹ וְנַשְׁלִיכָה מִמֶּנּוּ עֲבֹתֵימוֹ׃

4He who is enthroned in heaven laughs; Hashem mocks at them.

דיוֹשֵׁב בַּשָּׁמַיִם יִשְׂחָק אֲדֹנָי יִלְעַג־לָמוֹ׃

5Then He speaks to them in anger, terrifying them in His rage,

האָז יְדַבֵּר אֵלֵימוֹ בְאַפּוֹ וּבַחֲרוֹנוֹ יְבַהֲלֵמוֹ׃

6“But I have installed My king on Tzion, My holy mountain!”

va-a-NEE na-SAKH-tee mal-KEE al tzi-YON har kod-SHEE

ווַאֲנִי נָסַכְתִּי מַלְכִּי עַל־צִיּוֹן הַר־קָדְשִׁי׃

2:6   My king on Tzion

As opposed to Psalm 1 which heralds the man who walks in the ways of Hashem, Psalm 2 is directed to nations and kings, rebuking those derelict peoples who reject the Lord and seek to destroy Israel. The Sages suggest various possibilities to explain to which enemy the psalm refers: Nimrod, Pharaoh, or Gog and Magog. But regardless who the enemy is, he is ultimately doomed to destruction. Hashem has chosen a king from among the Children of Israel who will serve as His anointed one on Tzion, His holy mountain. Once the People of Israel conquer and settle the land, the anointed one, king of Israel, will assume the role of defender of his people and will protect Israel from harm.

7Let me tell of the decree: Hashem said to me, “You are My son, I have fathered you this day.

זאֲסַפְּרָה אֶל חֹק יְהֹוָה אָמַר אֵלַי בְּנִי אַתָּה אֲנִי הַיּוֹם יְלִדְתִּיךָ׃

8Ask it of Me, and I will make the nations your domain; your estate, the limits of the earth.

חשְׁאַל מִמֶּנִּי וְאֶתְּנָה גוֹיִם נַחֲלָתֶךָ וַאֲחֻזָּתְךָ אַפְסֵי־אָרֶץ׃

9You can smash them with an iron mace, shatter them like potter's ware.”

טתְּרֹעֵם בְּשֵׁבֶט בַּרְזֶל כִּכְלִי יוֹצֵר תְּנַפְּצֵם׃

10So now, O kings, be prudent; accept discipline, you rulers of the earth!

יוְעַתָּה מְלָכִים הַשְׂכִּילוּ הִוָּסְרוּ שֹׁפְטֵי אָרֶץ׃

11Serve Hashem in awe; tremble with fright,

יאעִבְדוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה בְּיִרְאָה וְגִילוּ בִּרְעָדָה׃

12pay homage in good faith, lest He be angered, and your way be doomed in the mere flash of His anger. Happy are all who take refuge in Him.

יבנַשְּׁקוּ־בַר פֶּן־יֶאֱנַף וְתֹאבְדוּ דֶרֶךְ כִּי־יִבְעַר כִּמְעַט אַפּוֹ אַשְׁרֵי כָּל־חוֹסֵי בוֹ׃