Psalm 2 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Psalm 2
The anointed king and the nations
Verse 2:1 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[2:1] Why have nations been in uproar,
and peoples meditated on emptiness?
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[2:1] Why did nations rage,
and peoples meditate on empty things?
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The nations’ agitation and empty deliberation correspond. The meditation verb also appears in Psalm 1 in a contrasting setting.
Verse 2:2 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[2:2] The kings of the earth take their stand,
and rulers conspire together,
against YHWH and against His anointed:
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[2:2] The kings of the earth stood ready,
and the rulers gathered together,
against the Lord and against His anointed.
Diapsalma.
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: Greek includes διάψαλμα here; Hebrew has no corresponding performance marker. Anointed preserves מְשִׁיחוֹ and χριστοῦ without identifying the king within the translation.
Verse 2:3 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[2:3] “Let us tear apart their bonds
and throw their cords away from us.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[2:3] “Let us tear apart their bonds
and cast their yoke away from us.”
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The rejected bonds correspond; Hebrew’s second image is cords, Greek’s a singular yoke. Speech punctuation is editorial.
Verse 2:4 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[2:4] The One seated in heaven laughs;
the Lord mocks them.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[2:4] The One dwelling in heaven will laugh at them,
and the Lord will sneer at them.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The heavenly enthroned or dwelling One ridicules the hostile rulers. Hebrew אֲדֹנָי is rendered Lord here, rather than replacing it with the distinct divine name YHWH.
Verse 2:5 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[2:5] Then He will speak to them in His anger
and terrify them in His burning wrath:
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[2:5] Then He will speak to them in His anger
and trouble them in His fury:
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both describe divine speech and its alarming effect; terrify and trouble reflect the verbs’ differing force.
Verse 2:6 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[2:6] “But I have installed My king
on Zion, My holy mountain.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[2:6] “But I was appointed king by Him
on Zion, His holy mountain,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew is the divine installer’s first-person declaration; Greek is the appointed king’s first-person declaration. The enthronement corresponds, while speaker, voice and possessives differ. Greek continues syntactically into verse seven.
Verse 2:7 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[2:7] I will recount the decree:
YHWH said to me, “You are My son;
today I have begotten you.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[2:7] announcing the Lord’s decree:
The Lord said to me, ‘You are My son;
today I have begotten you.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Hebrew begins an independent first-person announcement; Greek’s participle continues the king’s appointment in verse six. The quoted son-and-begetting declaration corresponds; punctuation marks the nested Greek speech editorially. Rabbinic: Rashi on Psalm 2:7 interprets this sonship through David’s royal headship over Israel and the day of his enthronement. [RASHI-PS2]
Verse 2:8 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[2:8] Ask of Me, and I will give nations as your inheritance,
and the ends of the earth as your possession.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[2:8] Ask of Me, and I will give you nations as your inheritance,
and the ends of the earth as your possession.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The request, international inheritance and earth’s limits correspond.
Verse 2:9 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[2:9] You will break them with an iron rod;
you will shatter them like a potter’s vessel.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[2:9] You will shepherd them with an iron rod;
you will crush them like a potter’s vessel.’”
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew תְּרֹעֵם is pointed as break them; Greek ποιμανεῖς says shepherd them. Both retain the iron rod and shattered pottery, so the Greek pastoral verb is not made into a promise of gentleness.
Verse 2:10 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[2:10] And now, kings, act wisely;
be instructed, judges of the earth.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[2:10] And now, kings, understand;
be instructed, all who judge the earth.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The admonition corresponds; Greek explicitly says all who judge, where Hebrew names the judges.
Verse 2:11 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[2:11] Serve YHWH with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[2:11] Serve the Lord with fear,
and exult in Him with trembling.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Fearful service and trembling joy correspond; Greek explicitly attaches exultation to Him.
Verse 2:12 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[2:12] Equip yourselves with purity, lest He become angry
and you perish on the way,
for His anger will soon burn.
Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[2:12] Take hold of instruction, lest the Lord become angry
and you perish from a righteous way.
When His fury burns quickly,
blessed are all who have trusted in Him.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew נַשְּׁקוּ־בַר is provisionally rendered as equipping oneself with purity; Greek explicitly commands taking hold of instruction. The Hebrew construction is disputed and also permits the familiar kiss the son rendering. Greek names the Lord and qualifies the way as righteous. Hebrew’s divine pronouns follow the adopted purity reading and remain subject to review. Rabbinic: Rashi on Psalm 2:12 reads an appeal to equip oneself with purity of heart; he also reports Menachem’s interpretation in terms of desire. The main rendering follows the former, without adding heart to the source wording. [RASHI-PS2]