Why the big noise, nations? Why the mean plots, peoples?
   Earth-leaders push for position,
   Demagogues and delegates meet for summit talks,
   The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers:
   "Let's get free of God!
   Cast loose from Messiah!"
   Heaven-throned God breaks out laughing.
   At first he's amused at their presumption;
   Then he gets good and angry.
   Furiously, he shuts them up:
   "Don't you know there's a King in Zion? A coronation banquet
   Is spread for him on the holy summit."

 ^7-9 Let me tell you what God said next.
   He said, "You're my son,
   And today is your birthday.
   What do you want? Name it:
   Nations as a present? continents as a prize?
   You can command them all to dance for you,
   Or throw them out with tomorrow's trash."

 ^10-12 So, rebel-kings, use your heads;
   Upstart-judges, learn your lesson:
   Worship God in adoring embrace,
   Celebrate in trembling awe. Kiss Messiah!
   Your very lives are in danger, you know;
   His anger is about to explode,
   But if you make a run for God—you won't regret it!

 

A David Psalm, When He Escaped

for His Life from Absalom, His Son

"The Message"  2002 by Eugene H. Peterson