Psalms 2:2-3

¹ sn The expression kings of the earth refers somewhat hyperbolically to the kings who had been conquered by and were subject to the Davidic king.

² tn Or “take their stand.” The Hebrew imperfect verbal form describes their action as underway.

³ tn Or “conspire together.” The verbal form is a Niphal from יָסַד (yasad). BDB 413-14 s.v. יָסַד defines the verb as “establish, found,” but HALOT 417 s.v. II יסד proposes a homonym meaning “get together, conspire” (an alternate form of סוּד, sud).

⁴ tn Heb “and against his anointed one.” The Davidic king is the referent (see vv. 6-7).

⁵ tn The words “they say” are supplied in the translation for clarification. The quotation represents the words of the rebellious kings.

⁶ tn Heb “their (i.e., the Lord’s and the king’s) shackles.” The kings compare the rule of the Lord and his vice-regent to being imprisoned.

⁷ tn Heb “throw off from us.”