Psalm 2 Translation Workflow
📝 Key Ideas Board
Scroll the page to see content update based on the nearest heading!
Step 1: Warm-up
Story and discussion to introduce the themes of the psalm
Psalm 2 is a royal psalm—meaning it focuses on kingship: both David’s and YHWH’s. The theme of KING/KINGSHIP is a very important one throughout the Psalms, and royal psalms center around this theme. As we’ll see, Psalm 2 is a bit of a drama; there are different groups interacting with each other in the poem. And as it turns out, what’s going on with the various kings in this psalm is strikingly similar to a story we find earlier in the Bible.
SAMPLE SCRIPT: Let’s go through this story, and as we do, I am going to write on the board some key words and phrases that highlight the connections between Psalm 2 and this story.
Image Gallery: The Life of Joseph
Joseph as the favorite son
Joseph's dreams
Joseph as an Egyptian, forcing his brothers to bow
Famine
Joseph reveals himself to his brothers
Celebration
Is everyone familiar with the story of Joseph in Genesis? To refresh our memories, here’s a short summary of selected parts of Joseph’s story. He was one of 12 sons of Jacob (also called Israel). And he was Jacob’s favorite son, and this caused all the other sons to HATE Joseph—so much so that they plotted to kill him. Now, before they tried to carry out their plan to murder him, Joseph told his brothers about 2 dreams that he had had—dreams that suggested that one day, Joseph’s brothers would be bowing down in reverence to him! Obviously, this only made them hate Joseph even more.
Warm-up Discussion
- Why couldn’t Joseph’s brothers accept his authority? (e.g., he was younger, dreams came from God, sibling rivalry)
Now, some time later there was a horrible famine across many nations, and because God had given Joseph wisdom, Egypt had stored up an enormous amount of food. So, people from other nations came to Egypt to buy food because they had none. This is exactly what brought Joseph’s brothers to Egypt from Canaan: they desperately needed food. And when they arrived in Egypt, before Joseph, guess what they did? They bowed down to him, just like the dreams predicted. Now, they didn’t realize that they were bowing down to their brother because they didn’t recognize him. But Joseph revealed who he was, and in the speech that he gives them, he repeats 4 times that it was God who sent him, and God who had put him in such great authority. From that point on, we are not told that Joseph’s brothers had any problems submitting to Joseph’s rule.
Warm-up Discussion
- Why do you think it was no longer so difficult for the brothers to submit to Joseph? (e.g., he was visibly so elevated in status, their desperation and reliance on Egypt's food, they saw now that to rebel against Joseph was to rebel against God)
Does anyone remember what happened to Joseph’s brothers after this?....Joseph gave them the best land in Egypt, and they were able to live in peace there for a long time, thriving and prosperous.
Warm-up Discussion
- Can you imagine what would have happened if the brothers had continued their rebellion against Joseph, even in Egypt? Do you think it would have gone well for them?
No, instead, we see that the brothers finally recognized the authority that Joseph had over them, and that the authority came from God himself. They realized their rightful place, and once they embraced that, they were blessed and happy. What a contrast—from poverty in famine to the riches of Egypt. They thought being in submission to Joseph would be terrible! But they found instead that they were blessed. I hope that as we go through the psalm today, you’ll see some of these same ideas as David describes a situation in which lower kings are rebelling against him, God’s chosen king.
Step 2: Listen
Play one or several audio versions of the psalm; or have someone read it/recite it aloud. Either way, everyone should hear the psalm at least twice, ideally in different versions. Instruct them to close their eyes if helpful, and to listen for the big ideas, the big emotions, and the major concepts and imagery, rather than trying to take in and remember every detail.
| Simple Reading (Hebrew) |
Simple Reading (English) |
| Dramatic Reading (Hebrew) |
Dramatic Reading (English) |
Would it be helpful or distracting to have a text aligned with the reading? Or to have the at-a-glance with sections & emotions?
Text Only (Hebrew and English) The text below is divided according to the psalm's poetic lines. For additional information, see our Poetic Structure layer.
| Hebrew | Line | English |
|---|---|---|
| לָ֭מָּה רָגְשׁ֣וּ גוֹיִ֑ם | 1a | Why are nations in an uproar, |
| וּ֝לְאֻמִּ֗ים יֶהְגּוּ־רִֽיק׃ | 1b | and [why] do peoples plot emptiness? |
| יִ֥תְיַצְּב֨וּ ׀ מַלְכֵי־אֶ֗רֶץ | 2a | [Why] do earthly kings take a stand |
| וְרוֹזְנִ֥ים נֽוֹסְדוּ־יָ֑חַד | 2b | and [why] have rulers conspired together |
| עַל־יְ֝הוָה וְעַל־מְשִׁיחֽוֹ׃ | 2c | against YHWH and against his anointed one? |
| נְֽ֭נַתְּקָה אֶת־מֽוֹסְרוֹתֵ֑ימוֹ | 3a | "Let's tear off their bonds |
| וְנַשְׁלִ֖יכָה מִמֶּ֣נּוּ עֲבֹתֵֽימוֹ׃ | 3b | and throw their ropes away from us!" |
| יוֹשֵׁ֣ב בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם יִשְׂחָ֑ק | 4a | The one enthroned in the heavens laughs. |
| אֲ֝דֹנָ֗י יִלְעַג־לָֽמוֹ׃ | 4b | The Lord mocks them. |
| אָ֤ז יְדַבֵּ֣ר אֵלֵ֣ימוֹ בְאַפּ֑וֹ | 5a | Then he speaks to them in his anger |
| וּֽבַחֲרוֹנ֥וֹ יְבַהֲלֵֽמוֹ׃ | 5b | and terrifies them in his wrath. |
| וַ֭אֲנִי נָסַ֣כְתִּי מַלְכִּ֑י | 6a | "But I have poured out my king |
| עַל־צִ֝יּ֗וֹן הַר־קָדְשִֽׁי׃ | 6b | on Zion, my holy mountain." |
| אֲסַפְּרָ֗ה אֶֽ֫ל חֹ֥ק | 7a | I will tell about the decree; |
| יְֽהוָ֗ה אָמַ֘ר אֵלַ֥י בְּנִ֥י אַ֑תָּה | 7b | YHWH said to me, "You are my son. |
| אֲ֝נִ֗י הַיּ֥וֹם יְלִדְתִּֽיךָ׃ | 7c | I hereby father you today. |
| שְׁאַ֤ל מִמֶּ֗נִּי וְאֶתְּנָ֣ה ג֭וֹיִם נַחֲלָתֶ֑ךָ | 8a | Ask me, and I will make nations your inheritance |
| וַ֝אֲחֻזָּתְךָ֗ אַפְסֵי־אָֽרֶץ׃ | 8b | and the ends of the earth your property. |
| תְּ֭רֹעֵם בְּשֵׁ֣בֶט בַּרְזֶ֑ל | 9a | You will crush them with an iron scepter. |
| כִּכְלִ֖י יוֹצֵ֣ר תְּנַפְּצֵֽם׃ | 9b | You will smash them like clay pottery." |
| וְ֭עַתָּה מְלָכִ֣ים הַשְׂכִּ֑ילוּ | 10a | And now, kings, wise up! |
| הִ֝וָּסְר֗וּ שֹׁ֣פְטֵי אָֽרֶץ׃ | 10b | Accept discipline, earthly rulers! |
| עִבְד֣וּ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה בְּיִרְאָ֑ה | 11a | Serve YHWH with fear |
| וְ֝גִ֗ילוּ בִּרְעָדָֽה׃ | 11b | and rejoice with trembling! |
| נַשְּׁקוּ־בַ֡ר פֶּן־יֶאֱנַ֤ף ׀ | 12a | Kiss the son, or else he will become angry |
| וְתֹ֬אבְדוּ דֶ֗רֶךְ | 12b | and you will perish in your way, |
| כִּֽי־יִבְעַ֣ר כִּמְעַ֣ט אַפּ֑וֹ | 12c | for his anger quickly ignites. |
| אַ֝שְׁרֵ֗י כָּל־ח֥וֹסֵי בֽוֹ׃ | 12d | Happy are all who take refuge in him! |
Structure Overlay Below, the text has been overlaid with our summary structural analysis. For details on the structure, see the Structure At-a-Glance here.
| Speaker | Structure | Text (Hebrew) | Verse | Text (CBC) | Addressee | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Psalmist | Rebellion |
לָ֭מָּה רָגְשׁ֣וּ גוֹיִ֑ם | 1a | Why are nations in an uproar, | contempt | Audience | ||||
| וּ֝לְאֻמִּ֗ים יֶהְגּוּ־רִֽיק׃ | 1b | and [why] do peoples plot emptiness? | ||||||||
| יִ֥תְיַצְּב֨וּ ׀ מַלְכֵי־אֶ֗רֶץ | 2a | [Why] do earthly kings take a stand | ||||||||
| וְרוֹזְנִ֥ים נֽוֹסְדוּ־יָ֑חַד | 2b | and [why] have rulers conspired together | ||||||||
| עַל־יְ֝הוָה וְעַל־מְשִׁיחֽוֹ׃ | 3a | against YHWH and against his anointed one? | ||||||||
| נְֽ֭נַתְּקָה אֶת־מֽוֹסְרוֹתֵ֑ימוֹ | 3b | "Let's tear off their bonds | ||||||||
Response |
וְנַשְׁלִ֖יכָה מִמֶּ֣נּוּ עֲבֹתֵֽימוֹ׃ | 4a | and throw their ropes away from us!" | contempt & awe | ||||||
| יוֹשֵׁ֣ב בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם יִשְׂחָ֑ק | 4b | The one enthroned in the heavens laughs. | ||||||||
| אֲ֝דֹנָ֗י יִלְעַג־לָֽמוֹ׃ | 5a | The Lord mocks them. | ||||||||
| אָ֤ז יְדַבֵּ֣ר אֵלֵ֣ימוֹ בְאַפּ֑וֹ | 5b | Then he speaks to them in his anger | ||||||||
King |
וּֽבַחֲרוֹנ֥וֹ יְבַהֲלֵֽמוֹ׃ | 6a | and terrifies them in his wrath. | Earthly Kings | ||||||
| וַ֭אֲנִי נָסַ֣כְתִּי מַלְכִּ֑י | 6b | "But I have poured out my king | ||||||||
Decree |
עַל־צִ֝יּ֗וֹן הַר־קָדְשִֽׁי׃ | 7a | on Zion, my holy mountain." | confidence | ||||||
| אֲסַפְּרָ֗ה אֶֽ֫ל חֹ֥ק | 7b | I will tell about the decree; | ||||||||
| יְֽהוָ֗ה אָמַ֘ר אֵלַ֥י בְּנִ֥י אַ֑תָּה | 8a | YHWH said to me, "You are my son. | ||||||||
| אֲ֝נִ֗י הַיּ֥וֹם יְלִדְתִּֽיךָ׃ | 8b | I hereby father you today. | ||||||||
| שְׁאַ֤ל מִמֶּ֗נִּי וְאֶתְּנָ֣ה ג֭וֹיִם נַחֲלָתֶ֑ךָ | 9a | Ask me, and I will make nations your inheritance | ||||||||
| וַ֝אֲחֻזָּתְךָ֗ אַפְסֵי־אָֽרֶץ׃ | 9b | and the ends of the earth your property. | ||||||||
Psalmist | Ultimatum |
תְּ֭רֹעֵם בְּשֵׁ֣בֶט בַּרְזֶ֑ל | 10a | You will crush them with an iron scepter. | contempt | |||||
| כִּכְלִ֖י יוֹצֵ֣ר תְּנַפְּצֵֽם׃ | 10b | You will smash them like clay pottery." | ||||||||
| וְ֭עַתָּה מְלָכִ֣ים הַשְׂכִּ֑ילוּ | 11a | And now, kings, wise up! | ||||||||
| הִ֝וָּסְר֗וּ שֹׁ֣פְטֵי אָֽרֶץ׃ | 11b | Accept discipline, earthly rulers! | ||||||||
| עִבְד֣וּ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה בְּיִרְאָ֑ה | 12a | Serve YHWH with fear | ||||||||
| וְ֝גִ֗ילוּ בִּרְעָדָֽה׃ | 12b | and rejoice with trembling! | ||||||||
| נַשְּׁקוּ־בַ֡ר פֶּן־יֶאֱנַ֤ף ׀ וְתֹ֬אבְדוּ דֶ֗רֶךְ | 12c | Kiss the son, or else he will become angry and you will perish in your way, |
Expanded paraphrase The expanded paraphrase seeks to capture the implicit information within the text and make it explicit for readers today. It is based on the CBC translation and uses italic text to provide the most salient background information, presuppositions, entailments, and inferences.
| Text (Hebrew) | Verse | Expanded Paraphrase |
|---|---|---|
| לָ֭מָּה רָגְשׁ֣וּ גוֹיִ֑ם וּ֝לְאֻמִּ֗ים יֶהְגּוּ־רִֽיק׃ | 1 | YHWH and his anointed king rule over the nations and their rulers. But the nations and their rulers want freedom and independence from the imperial rule of YHWH and his anointed one, and so they are attempting to rebel. But there is no point! They will certainly be defeated. Why do they even bother? Why are nations in an uproar, like an agitated crowd or like a turbulent sea, and [why] do peoples make plots that result only in emptiness? |
| יִ֥תְיַצְּב֨וּ ׀ מַלְכֵי־אֶ֗רֶץ וְרוֹזְנִ֥ים נֽוֹסְדוּ־יָ֑חַד | 2 | [Why] do earthly kings who govern the nations as vassals to YHWH and his king take a stand against their suzerains, and [why] have rulers conspired together against YHWH and against his king whom he anointed as the one to rule his people? |
| עַל־יְ֝הוָה וְעַל־מְשִׁיחֽוֹ׃ נְֽ֭נַתְּקָה אֶת־מֽוֹסְרוֹתֵ֑ימוֹ | 3 | The rebels say, "Let's stop serving them! Let's tear off their bonds and throw their ropes away from us! Let's achieve independence!" |
| וְנַשְׁלִ֖יכָה מִמֶּ֣נּוּ עֲבֹתֵֽימוֹ׃ יוֹשֵׁ֣ב בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם יִשְׂחָ֑ק | 4 | The one enthroned in the heavens, far above the earthly kings, is not threatened by their rebellion. Instead, he laughs at them, an expression of mockery and disdain. The all-powerful Lord whom they ought to be serving mocks them. |
| אֲ֝דֹנָ֗י יִלְעַג־לָֽמוֹ׃ אָ֤ז יְדַבֵּ֣ר אֵלֵ֣ימוֹ בְאַפּ֑וֹ | 5 | Then he speaks to them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath. |
| וּֽבַחֲרוֹנ֥וֹ יְבַהֲלֵֽמוֹ׃ וַ֭אֲנִי נָסַ֣כְתִּי מַלְכִּ֑י | 6 | He says in response to their words (v. 3): "You can plot all you like, but it will not work. I have poured out my king as my image, just as a craftsman pours liquid metal into a mold to make an image, and I have placed him on Zion, the city of David, my holy mountain, the place where heaven and earth meet, to represent my heavenly rule on the earth. Nothing that you do can alter this reality." |
| עַל־צִ֝יּ֗וֹן הַר־קָדְשִֽׁי׃ אֲסַפְּרָ֗ה אֶֽ֫ל חֹ֥ק | 7 | Listen up, you rebellious nations! I the king whom YHWH anointed and cast as his image, will tell about the covenant YHWH made with my father, David, which he has confirmed to me as a decree, a decree that you must heed; YHWH said to me on the day of my enthronement, "You are my son. You resemble me in terms of character, you represent my rule, and you will always receive my paternal care. With this speech, I hereby father you today, on the day of your enthronement, causing you to be born into a royal existence, thus fulfilling what I promised your father, David, when I told him, 'I will raise up your offspring after you... and I will establish his kingdom... I will become his father, and he will become my son' (2 Sam 7:12-14). |
| יְֽהוָ֗ה אָמַ֘ר אֵלַ֥י בְּנִ֥י אַ֑תָּה אֲ֝נִ֗י הַיּ֥וֹם יְלִדְתִּֽיךָ׃ | 8 | Ask me, my son, for your inheritance, and I will make nations your inheritance and the ends of the earth your property. For the whole world is mine, and you, my only son, will inherit it all. |
| שְׁאַ֤ל מִמֶּ֗נִּי וְאֶתְּנָ֣ה ג֭וֹיִם נַחֲלָתֶ֑ךָ וַ֝אֲחֻזָּתְךָ֗ אַפְסֵי־אָֽרֶץ׃ | 9 | If they try to rebel against your rule, I will be with you to strengthen you, and you will crush them with an iron scepter and smash them like fragile clay pottery that, once it is smashed, cannot be put back together." |
| תְּ֭רֹעֵם בְּשֵׁ֣בֶט בַּרְזֶ֑ל כִּכְלִ֖י יוֹצֵ֣ר תְּנַפְּצֵֽם׃ | 10 | And now, you foolish kings, having heard YHWH's decree, wise up! Accept YHWH's discipline and submit to him, earthly rulers! |
| וְ֭עַתָּה מְלָכִ֣ים הַשְׂכִּ֑ילוּ הִ֝וָּסְר֗וּ שֹׁ֣פְטֵי אָֽרֶץ׃ | 11 | Serve YHWH, the heavenly Lord, with fear. Live according to his requirements, especially his "decree" (v. 7). Celebrate his rule and rejoice at his good kingship, but do so with fear and trembling, for he can destroy you in a moment if you step out of line! |
| עִבְד֣וּ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה בְּיִרְאָ֑ה וְ֝גִ֗ילוּ בִּרְעָדָֽה׃ נַשְּׁקוּ־בַ֡ר פֶּן־יֶאֱנַ֤ף ׀ וְתֹ֬אבְדוּ דֶ֗רֶךְ | 12 | Kiss the son as a sign of honor and submission, or else he will become angry and you will perish in your way of rebellion that you have chosen to walk, for his anger easily ignites and burns everything in its path . You will not stand a chance if you oppose him! But if you submit to him, then you and your peoples will flourish under his righteous rule. Happy are all who take refuge in him, for he is a good king who takes care of his people! |
Participant Tracking Text Participant Analysis focuses on the characters in the psalm and asks, “Who are the main participants (or characters) in this psalm, and what are they saying or doing? Our full analysis can be found in the Participant Analysis layer.
There are 4 participants/characters in Psalm 2:
Profile List
| Nations |
| "Peoples" (v. 1) |
| "Ends of the earth" (v. 8) |
| Earthly kings & nations |
| Earthly kings |
| "Rulers" (v. 2) |
| "Kings" (v. 10) |
| "Earthly rulers" (v. 10) |
| YHWH |
| "The one enthroned in the heavens" (v. 4) |
| "The Lord" (v. 4) |
| YHWH & YHWH's king |
| King |
| "YHWH's anointed" (v. 2) |
| "YHWH's king" (v. 6) |
| "YHWH's son" (vv. 7, 12) |
| Those who take refuge in the king |
Profile Notes
- YHWH is the "Lord" (v. 4) over all the earth, "the one enthroned in the heavens" (v. 4a) as the highest king.
- YHWH, the heavenly king, does not rule over the nations directly. Rather, his rule is mediated by his anointed one (v. 2c), the king whom he placed as his image on Mt. Zion (v. 6), his only son and heir (vv. 7-9).
- The nations rightfully belong to the king, who rules over them like an emperor rules over the various domains in his empire. When Psalm 2 begins, however, the nations are "in an uproar" (v.1a), trying to throw off the shackles of YHWH and his anointed one (v. 3). Specifically, the earthly kings who rule the nations (vv. 2, 10) want to gain independence from YHWH and his king. Instead of being part of the king's empire and submitting to his rule, they want to govern themselves.
- Those who take refuge in the king are those who have gladly submitted to his rule and, therefore, will experience all of the benefits of living under a good king: peace, justice, and prosperity.
| Hebrew | Line | English |
|---|---|---|
| לָ֭מָּה רָגְשׁ֣וּ גוֹיִ֑ם | 1a | Why are nations in an uproar, |
| וּ֝לְאֻמִּ֗ים יֶהְגּוּ־רִֽיק׃ | 1b | and [why] do peoples plot emptiness? |
| יִ֥תְיַצְּב֨וּ ׀ מַלְכֵי־אֶ֗רֶץ | 2a | [Why] do earthly kings take a stand |
| וְרוֹזְנִ֥ים נֽוֹסְדוּ־יָ֑חַד | 2b | and [why] have rulers conspired together |
| עַל־יְ֝הוָה וְעַל־מְשִׁיחֽוֹ׃ | 2c | against YHWH and against his anointed one? |
| נְֽ֭נַתְּקָה אֶת־מֽוֹסְרוֹתֵ֑ימוֹ | 3a | "Let's tear off their bonds |
| וְנַשְׁלִ֖יכָה מִמֶּ֣נּוּ עֲבֹתֵֽימוֹ׃ | 3b | and throw their ropes away from us!" |
| יוֹשֵׁ֣ב בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם יִשְׂחָ֑ק | 4a | The one enthroned in the heavens laughs. |
| אֲ֝דֹנָ֗י יִלְעַג־לָֽמוֹ׃ | 4b | The Lord mocks them. |
| אָ֤ז יְדַבֵּ֣ר אֵלֵ֣ימוֹ בְאַפּ֑וֹ | 5a | Then he speaks to them in his anger |
| וּֽבַחֲרוֹנ֥וֹ יְבַהֲלֵֽמוֹ׃ | 5b | and terrifies them in his wrath. |
| וַ֭אֲנִי נָסַ֣כְתִּי מַלְכִּ֑י | 6a | "But I have poured out my king |
| עַל־צִ֝יּ֗וֹן הַר־קָדְשִֽׁי׃ | 6b | on Zion, my holy mountain." |
| אֲסַפְּרָ֗ה אֶֽ֫ל חֹ֥ק | 7a | I will tell about the decree; |
| יְֽהוָ֗ה אָמַ֘ר אֵלַ֥י בְּנִ֥י אַ֑תָּה | 7b | YHWH said to me, "You are my son. |
| אֲ֝נִ֗י הַיּ֥וֹם יְלִדְתִּֽיךָ׃ | 7c | I hereby father you today. |
| שְׁאַ֤ל מִמֶּ֗נִּי וְאֶתְּנָ֣ה ג֭וֹיִם נַחֲלָתֶ֑ךָ | 8a | Ask me, and I will make nations your inheritance |
| וַ֝אֲחֻזָּתְךָ֗ אַפְסֵי־אָֽרֶץ׃ | 8b | and the ends of the earth your property. |
| תְּ֭רֹעֵם בְּשֵׁ֣בֶט בַּרְזֶ֑ל | 9a | You will crush them with an iron scepter. |
| כִּכְלִ֖י יוֹצֵ֣ר תְּנַפְּצֵֽם׃ | 9b | You will smash them like clay pottery." |
| וְ֭עַתָּה מְלָכִ֣ים הַשְׂכִּ֑ילוּ | 10a | And now, kings, wise up! |
| הִ֝וָּסְר֗וּ שֹׁ֣פְטֵי אָֽרֶץ׃ | 10b | Accept discipline, earthly rulers! |
| עִבְד֣וּ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה בְּיִרְאָ֑ה | 11a | Serve YHWH with fear |
| וְ֝גִ֗ילוּ בִּרְעָדָֽה׃ | 11b | and rejoice with trembling! |
| נַשְּׁקוּ־בַ֡ר פֶּן־יֶאֱנַ֤ף ׀ | 12a | Kiss the son, or else he will become angry |
| וְתֹ֬אבְדוּ דֶ֗רֶךְ | 12b | and you will perish in your way, |
| כִּֽי־יִבְעַ֣ר כִּמְעַ֣ט אַפּ֑וֹ | 12c | for his anger quickly ignites. |
| אַ֝שְׁרֵ֗י כָּל־ח֥וֹסֵי בֽוֹ׃ | 12d | Happy are all who take refuge in him! |
Step 3: Exegesis (Internalization step 1)
Using the Overview video: Getting the big-picture understanding.
If playing or using a video with your team might be problematic, feel free to make use of the Script/Slides for the Overview video (Appendix C). You can download these files and manipulate/translate them as you find helpful.
Use the Overview video and handouts (Appendices C–E) to examine structure, tone, speech acts, and context.
If giving a handout would be problematic, consider projecting the images on a wall/screen for all to see, and/or simply do an oral walkthrough of the content with your team.
Introduction and Sections
- Watch this first chapter of the Overview video.
-
Give Sections with Emotions handout (Appendix D) and discuss.
- Suggested question for the team: How does your language’s poetry and/or music show shifts in tone or emotion between sections? How might you use those in this psalm?
-
Give Sections with Emotions handout (Appendix D) and discuss.
- Watch the second and fourth chapters of the Overview video: Suzerain and vassal kings, and Cast images and representatives.
- Give Background/Context handout (Appendix E) and discuss.
-
Suggested question for the team: Do any of these concepts sound familiar to anything that exists in your context?
- If yes, how might those concepts be appropriate or useful in translating this psalm?
- If no, as we go through translating the psalm, keep in mind these concepts that may be unfamiliar to your audience, and seek solutions via translation or performance that can help to clarify these ideas.
Follow along with script & slides
“The one enthroned in the heavens laughs. The Lord mocks them!” "But I have poured out my king on Zion, my holy mountain." YHWH said to me, "You are my son. I hereby father you today. Ask me, and I will make nations your inheritance and the ends of the earth your property.
Psalm 2 is about God’s plan to crush rebellion on the earth. He has appointed his chosen king, whom he has placed on Zion, and that king will rule over all the earth.
A helpful way to remember Psalm 2 is part of God’s decree, where he speaks of “my king on Zion.” The authority this king holds is granted by God in heaven, extends to the king’s throne on Mt Zion, and then extends even further to the whole earth. We have tried to show this flow of power with the arrows in the icon.
This psalm is like a miniature drama about the rebellious kings on earth, the king in heaven, God, and God's chosen king, who rules on Zion, the place the Hebrews believe where heaven meets earth.
Psalm 2 has four sections, each focusing on one of these kings. Each of these kings also has a speech in Psalm 2, which helps structure the psalm as a whole.
First, the earthly kings announce their rebellion against God and his chosen anointed one. The psalmist reports what they announce with contempt and speaks scornfully about their decision to rebel. The heavenly king, God, also responds with contempt for their rebellion. The psalmist expresses awe for God’s response because God completely dismisses the rebellious kings’ complaint about God’s rule. Then, God's anointed king tells everyone what God decrees. The king speaks with confidence that God’s announcement will stop any rebellion. In the final section, the psalmist gives the rebels an ultimatum, a final warning that if they do not stop rebelling, God will destroy them. Once again, the psalmist’s words show contempt for any king on earth who dares to rebel against God.
Background/context: Suzerain & vassal kings
Speech acts
Section walkthrough: Rebellion
Section walkthrough: Response (vv. 4-6)
Section walkthrough: Decree (vv. 7-9)
Section walkthrough: Ultimatum (vv. 10-12)
Summary & read-through
Speech Act Practice
Practice the tone and emotion for:
- Mocking a foolish rebellion
- Contempt from a teacher toward unruly students
- A solemn proclamation from a leader
- Commands from a parent explaining loving discipline
Note helpful words/phrases in the target language.
Step 4: Internalize – Drama
Focusing on naturalness over accuracy
This step will not only help the translators remember the content of the psalm, but also begin to explore how to express the ideas and emotions of the psalm in their language.
- Narrator read-through: Choose one translator to be the narrator, one to be YHWH, one to be the king on Zion, and the rest to be the earthly kings. The narrator will read the psalm aloud (in the LWC), and the actors will silently act out what is being described in the psalm, using facial expressions, gestures, and moving around the room to demonstrate the events and the emotions.
- Skit with translation: Then, divide the translators into 4 groups. Each group will take one section of the psalm, and they will have about 10-15 minutes to orally draft a rough translation or a song of just that section, paying special attention to the direct quote/dialogue. They will also craft a skit at the same time, choosing one of the following options:
- Each member of the group does the same hand motions/gestures/body poses to represent the main ideas of the section, going through the motions/gestures as they say their translation.
- Members of the group can act out the events described in their section while saying their translation.
- They can sing/chant the main ideas of the section in a creative way (in their language), with accompanying motions or dance.
The translators will take notes as they do this activity about the words and phrases that were difficult to translate. This list will be used in the next step.
If desired, make an audio or video recording of the oral translation or song of each section for reference during the next step.
Step 5: Internalize – Poetics & Performance
Give the Poetic Features handout (Appendix G) and discuss.
-
Suggested question for the team: How might our language’s poetry/music convey the functions of the poetic features discussed (not FORMS)?
- For example: For ‘Heaven and Earth and In Between’, you might use music (an instrument, voice, melody, etc) to show similarity between the first and fourth sections (about earth), then a different musical quality for the second section (about heaven)—then combine those two musical qualities for the third section (about Zion). Alternatively, the SEB translation inserted the explicit phrase “Where heaven and earth meet” twice into their song when talking about Zion, to make the meaning explicit.
- Another example: For ‘Think Again’, you might use music, soundplay, or word choice to show that the fourth section (Ultimatum) is the reversal/opposite of the first section (Rebellion).
-
Have the musicians/composers discuss and tentatively decide on the following:
- The correct genre of song/poetry/dance/performance from their local genres, based on the content of this psalm
- The basic melody/rhythm/tempo(s) of the song
- What instrument(s) will be used
Step 6: Compose
Using Overview video—focusing on each section individually
In this step, the psalm is translated orally, section by section.
- Return to the Overview video, watching the Section Walkthrough chapters (Rebellion, Response, Decree, Ultimatum) one at a time.
- After watching each chapter, discuss the section-specific info below with the translators. Also revisit the emotions and speech acts for that section, looking at the handouts and their noted words/phrases from the activity. Remember what that PART plays in the WHOLE psalm.
- Ask the translators what words or phrases they found difficult to translate in that section. Looking at the Translation and Performance Notes document (Appendix A), explain the word or phrase, and then have the translators discuss the translation options in their language. Try to arrive at decisions for each of these, unless they are taking too long to discuss—in which case, the discussion should continue later, perhaps even another day.
- After all the sections have been discussed, the translators will go back into their groups from Step 4, and they will continue to work on their oral translations/song compositions of JUST THEIR SECTION, incorporating the information they’ve just heard to improve their original translation.
Imagine and experiment with the content in your own language! Remember, we are still aiming for naturalness over accuracy, as we will focus on accuracy later in step 7.
Seek balance, rhythm, figurative language, beauty, poetry…
Section-specific information
- Earthly kings’ rebellion (vv. 1-3)
- Words/phrases/imagery to be sure to discuss, using the Translation and Performance Notes (if not already mentioned by the translators): mutter emptiness; anointed one; tearing bonds/throwing off ropes
- Heavenly king’s laughter (vv. 4-6)
- Words/phrases/imagery to be sure to discuss, using the Translation and Performance Notes: forged/cast my king; Zion
- King on Zion’s decree (vv. 7-9)
- Words/phrases/imagery to be sure to discuss, using the Translation and Performance Notes: son/father relationship; iron sceptre and smashing pottery
- The ultimatum (vv. 10-12)
- Words/phrases/imagery to be sure to discuss, using the Translation and Performance Notes: kiss the Son; happy; anger; connection between this section and the second section
Step 7: Transcribe
Making a written draft
If not already done, transcribe the oral translation of each section; or, put the already-done transcriptions together in one document or sheet of paper.
Step 8: Exegetical Check
Checking exegetical accuracy
The draft translation is reviewed, line by line, paying attention not only to the meaning of words, but also to the meaning of sections, and the flow between them; as well as coherence of the whole psalm.
This is often done by the typist projecting the text so that all can see it, as well as see what changes the typist makes in real time.
The initial consultant check would ideally happen here.
Step 9: Finalize
Preparing the final version of an official translation
Prepare the final version that will serve as an authorised translation and consultant-checked song.
Final versions should be approved by the consultant.
Steps
- Write and read out draft so far - adjust as necessary.
- Check formatting (line/section division, punctuation, etc.)
- Copy the final text into Paratext
- Do a back-translation for consultant check
Step 10: Perform
Performing the psalm
This step can include either the oral performance of the whole psalm or only a part of it (if a very long psalm). It has been noted that performance involves many senses, and thus participants should seek to include as many as possible in their performances. Apart from the sound of the words, other sounds could be included (e.g. instruments, humming), and effort should be made to use gesture, movement, dance, and colour, as well as invite audience participation (through a chorus or dance).
| Activity 1: Dramatic reading of the final draft of the psalm - recorded (one or more voices) |
| Activity 2: Work on composition to present and record on the final day of the workshop. |
- It can be song/rap/dance/drama/spoken-word poetry.
- The goal should be that each participant will be involved in at least one performance for presentation on the final day.
- Further, the performance must be presented without a “cheat-sheet”--without looking at something printed or written. It must be from the heart, internalized and memorized.
Video and audio recordings should be made of final performances.