Psalm 2:10 kjv
Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Psalm 2:10 nkjv
Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Psalm 2:10 niv
Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.
Psalm 2:10 esv
Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Psalm 2:10 nlt
Now then, you kings, act wisely!
Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
Psalm 2 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. | Wisdom's source |
| Prov 8:15-16 | By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice... princes rule. | Divine source of earthly authority |
| Deut 17:18-20 | ...he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book... that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers. | Kings needing God's law |
| 1 Sam 2:10 | The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken... He will give strength to His king. | God's judgment and strengthening His king |
| Ps 2:11 | Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. | Call to revere God |
| Ps 2:12 | Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way. | Warning to submit to the Son |
| Isa 1:19-20 | If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel... | Consequences of obedience/rebellion |
| Jer 10:23 | O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself... It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. | Need for divine guidance |
| Dan 4:17 | ...the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will... | God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms |
| John 19:10-11 | Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have authority...?” Jesus answered, “You could have no authority at all unless it had been given you from above.” | Divine origin of earthly authority |
| Rom 13:1-2 | Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God... | Authority appointed by God |
| 1 Tim 2:1-2 | ...supplications, prayers, intercessions... be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority... | Prayer for rulers |
| 1 Pet 2:13-17 | Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake... Fear God. Honor the king. | Submission to authority |
| Prov 9:10 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. | Wisdom from fearing God |
| Eccl 8:8 | ...nor does one have authority over the day of death. | Limitation of earthly authority |
| Joel 3:12 | Let the nations be stirred up, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. | God as ultimate Judge of nations |
| Rev 1:5 | ...and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. | Christ as supreme ruler |
| Ps 82:1 | God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods. | God's judgment over earthly rulers |
| Ps 94:10 | He who chastises the nations, will He not rebuke, He who teaches man knowledge? | God as ultimate teacher/instructor |
| Ps 34:11 | Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. | Invitation to receive instruction |
Psalm 2 verses
Psalm 2 10 Meaning
Psalm 2:10 serves as a direct and urgent appeal to earthly rulers and authorities. It calls them to acquire spiritual wisdom and receive instruction from God, recognizing His supreme authority and the ultimate sovereignty of His Anointed One. The verse emphasizes the necessity for kings and judges to align their governance with divine will, lest they face the inevitable judgment foretold earlier in the psalm. It is a warning to repent and submit to the King ordained by God, promoting justice and righteousness on earth.
Psalm 2 10 Context
Psalm 2 is a royal or messianic psalm that speaks of God's universal reign and the reign of His Anointed King (the Messiah). The chapter opens with the tumultuous rebellion of earthly nations and their rulers against God and His Anointed One (verses 1-3). God responds with scorn and sets His King upon Zion (verses 4-6), affirming the King's divine sonship and His inheritance of all nations (verses 7-9). Verse 10, therefore, marks a pivot point, shifting from a description of divine decree and judgment to an urgent call for these rebellious kings and judges to change their posture. It urges them to cease their futile opposition and, instead, embrace wisdom and submit to the very God and King they previously defied, thereby avoiding utter destruction and finding refuge in Him.
Psalm 2 10 Word analysis
Now therefore (וְעַתָּה - və‘attâ): A crucial transitional phrase. It acts as an inferential or hortatory conjunction, signaling a shift from a description of God's established rule and the futility of human rebellion to a direct, imperative call to action. It implies, "In light of all that has just been stated (God's anointing of His King and His promised judgment), here is the necessary response." It is a plea for immediate and reasoned action.
be wise (הָקִיצוּ - hâqîtsû, or rather, the root for wisdom: חכם - ḥāḵam is the noun for wise person. The verb here is often derived from the root for "to be awake" or "to be intelligent"): This is an imperative verb, calling for active wisdom. The Hebrew root ḥāḵam refers to practical discernment and skill, often in governance, rooted in the fear of the Lord (Prov 1:7). It implies a discerning understanding of reality, recognizing God's sovereignty and the futility of opposition. It is not merely intellectual knowledge but the ability to apply truth effectively, especially in light of the divine order.
O kings (מְלָכִים - məlāḵîm): Plural, indicating all earthly monarchs and rulers who set themselves against the Lord and His Messiah. They are the target audience of this admonition. The term signifies those holding highest governmental authority.
be instructed (הִוָּסְרוּ - hivvāsrū): This imperative verb comes from the root יסר (yāsar), which means "to chasten," "to correct," "to discipline," or "to instruct." It implies undergoing a process of moral or spiritual education, often through discipline or severe warning. It’s an active yielding to teaching and correction, a call to receive and accept God’s guidance and discipline rather than resist it.
you judges of the earth (שֹׁפְטֵי אָרֶץ - šōfṭê ’āreṣ): Refers to all those who administer justice, whether regional rulers, magistrates, or even those exercising moral authority. They, alongside kings, represent the totality of human governance and authority throughout the world. Their position of judgment on earth mandates their own submission to the ultimate divine Judge.
"be wise, O kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth": This parallelism emphasizes that both the highest political rulers and the legal/judicial authorities are equally accountable and equally in need of divine wisdom and discipline. The doubling reinforces the urgency and universal scope of the command to all human governance. It implies a moral and practical awakening to divine truth. This wisdom is distinct from secular intelligence; it's the understanding that true governance originates from and must align with God's perfect law and righteous character.
Psalm 2 10 Bonus section
The appeal in Psalm 2:10 demonstrates God's long-suffering and gracious desire for all to come to knowledge of the truth, even those who actively oppose Him. It highlights a recurring biblical theme: while God’s sovereignty is absolute, He frequently calls human beings, including rulers, to willingly submit and align with His will. The warnings against kings and judges are not merely condemnations but opportunities for transformation. This plea sets the stage for the crucial decision presented in verse 12—either kiss the Son and find refuge, or perish in His wrath. The combination of "kings" and "judges" indicates that the warning extends to both executive and judicial branches of earthly government, emphasizing a comprehensive need for divine guidance in all aspects of leadership.
Psalm 2 10 Commentary
Psalm 2:10 delivers a profound divine summons to those in positions of power. Following the futile uprising of kings and rulers detailed in the earlier verses, this verse transitions from God's derision of their rebellion to a gracious yet firm invitation to embrace truth and secure their own well-being. The command to "be wise" calls for a fundamental shift in their understanding and policy, moving from self-serving ambition and resistance to recognizing the established reign of God's Messiah. This is a call to practical discernment—to grasp the reality of God’s supreme sovereignty and the futility of opposition. They must recognize that their authority is ultimately derived from God (John 19:11, Rom 13:1).
Secondly, the command to "be instructed" emphasizes the need for disciplined learning and submission to God's divine principles. This instruction is not merely intellectual; it implies allowing themselves to be taught, corrected, and shaped by divine truth, even if it comes through corrective discipline. It is a humble yielding to the instruction that stems from the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 9:10). The message is clear: rulers are not autonomous. Their rule must reflect divine justice and righteousness, aligning with God's ultimate plan, rather than pursuing independent agendas rooted in human pride and rebellion. Failure to heed this instruction carries severe consequences, as hinted at in the psalm’s conclusion (verse 12). This verse offers a narrow window for repentance and submission, leading to blessing rather than perishing.