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Psalm 2:10
Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
8Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.
9You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
10Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish on the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.
Notice
Kings and judges are told to receive instruction, exposing the limits of earthly rank: even those who make decisions for others need wisdom from God.
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Hosea 14:9Who is wise, that he may understand these things? Who is prudent, that he may know them? For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous walk in them, …Both passages connect wisdom with receiving God's direction, and both set that wisdom against the danger of rebellion.
Isaiah 60:3Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.Both passages speak of kings, though Psalm 2 commands them to learn while Isaiah describes them coming to light.
Isaiah 60:10–11“Foreigners will build up your walls, and their kings will serve you; for in my wrath I struck you, but in my favor I have had mercy on you.Kings appear in both passages: Psalm 2 addresses their need for instruction, while Isaiah describes their service to those receiving God's mercy.
Psalm 2:2The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his Anointed, saying,The kings who take counsel against the LORD earlier in the psalm are now told to be wise and receive instruction.
Isaiah 52:15so he will cleanse many nations. Kings will shut their mouths at him; for they will see that which had not been told them, and they will understand that which …Both passages connect kings with learning: Psalm 2 commands instruction, while Isaiah describes kings understanding what they had never heard.
Psalm 72:10–11The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will bring tribute. The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.Both passages concern kings, though Psalm 2 addresses their wisdom and Psalm 72 describes their tribute and gifts.
Psalm 82:1–8A Psalm by Asaph. God presides in the great assembly. He judges among the gods.Judgment links these passages: Psalm 2 addresses judges who need instruction, while Psalm 82 depicts God himself judging in the assembly.
Psalm 45:12The daughter of Tyre comes with a gift. The rich among the people entreat your favor.The shared thread is social standing: Psalm 2 addresses rulers, while Psalm 45 describes wealthy people seeking favor.
Jeremiah 6:8Be instructed, Jerusalem, lest my soul be alienated from you, lest I make you a desolation, an uninhabited land.”Both use the command “Be instructed,” addressing people under warning who need to heed God's words.
Isaiah 49:23Kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth, and lick the dust of your …Both passages depict limits to royal standing: kings must receive instruction in Psalm 2 and bow down in Isaiah.
Jeremiah 19:3Say, ‘Hear the LORD’s word, kings of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel says, “Behold, I will bring evil on this place, …Both address kings as hearers of a warning from God, whose authority exceeds their own.
Daniel 9:12He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing on us a great evil; for under the whole sky, such has …Judges appear in both passages: Psalm 2 tells them to receive instruction, while Daniel recounts disaster confirming God's words against them.
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Encouragement
After the threat of shattered pottery, kings are still addressed with instruction they can heed. Their authority has limits; they remain answerable to God.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).