iron rod

The Hebrew in Psalm 2:9 that is translated as “iron rod” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) as ndodo yaufumu or “yokes.” In Chewa culture, this is a rod that is carried by a chief or king. It is a symbol of power and authority. It can either be wooden or metal. Sometimes it is decorated with some ornaments. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

differing language registers for Psalm 2

In the 1852 translation of the Psalms into Javanese by Johann F.C. Gericke, the translator attempted to highlight the different voices and sections of the psalm by using different language styles or sociolects of Javanese. Ngoko , a “top-down” register, was used when senior people communicated to people junior in age or rank, and kromo , a “bottom-up” and more ornate register, was used to address superiors and elders. According to Gericke (quoted in Solleveld, cited below) “If one sought to use one and the same language in the entire Psalm, no Javanese would understand it. The difference between Kromo and Ngoko is often as big as between Dutch and Polish.”

  • In verse 1 and 2, the psalmist uses kromo
  • In verse 3, the enemies of the king in Zion and rebels use ngoko
  • In verse 4 and 5, the pslamist again uses kromo
  • In verse 6, God himself is quoted in ngoko, but in a style differing from that of the rebels
  • In the first half of verse 7, the anointed king speaks kromo
  • From the second half of verse 7 and verses 8 and 9, containing the words of the Lord to his Anointed One, ngoko is used again
  • In verses 10, 11, and 12, the psalmist uses kromo in his admonition to the rebels.

(Source: Floris Solleveld in A Tale of Two Translators from the Global Bible project)

Source for Javanese language registers and the different sections of Psalm 2.

Psalm 2 in Koti

Following is a translation of Psalm 2 into song in Koti, by Tarikhi Ya Haakhi. The Koti text is translated into English within the video.

Following is another rendition only verses 1 and 2 by the same team in the same language:

℗ 2025 Wycliffe Bible Translators South Africa NPC. Used with permission. Part of the Psalms that Sing project.

complete verse (Psalm 2:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 2:9:

  • Chichewa Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero translation, 2002/2016:
    “You will rule them with an iron rod of a king;
    you will break them in pieces like molded clay molds.’” (Source: Chichewa Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “You will rule them with an iron rod,
    you will break them in pieces like a clay pot.’"” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “You (sing.) will-rule them, and none at-all of-them can-go-against your (sing.) ruling.
    They will-be just like a clay-pot that you (sing.) will-crush/grind-to-powder.’ ’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “In the future you will hold an iron stick to strike them, just like someone striking a clay pot to break it.’"” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “You will rule them with metallic stick,
    and then you punish them to be scatter like a pot which is broken into pieces.’” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Utakuja kuwaponda na fimbo ya chuma,
    utakuja kuwavunja kama vile chungu.’ ’” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “You will defeat them completely;
    you will destroy them like people smash a clay pot with an iron rod.’ ’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 2:9

You shall break them … and dash them in pieces: both statements describe how the king of Israel will defeat and destroy the Gentile nations. The second verb implies a more thorough destruction than the first one; so Good News Translation “break” and “shatter … in pieces.” One of the most common techniques to achieve intensification in biblical parallelism is the use of the simile in the second clause. The intensification of poetic effect is made here also by the contrast of breaking with an iron rod and the shattering of a fragile clay pot. The translator’s ability to maintain the degree of contrast will depend on the verbs used and the existence of clay pots, well known for their tendency to be easily smashed. It may not be natural to use this figurative language, and so the following may be better: “You will defeat (or, subdue) them … you will destroy them completely.” The verb in line a of the Masoretic text is “break”; but the same consonants of the Masoretic text, with different vowels, which are given in the margin of the text, mean “to rule,” and this is how the Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate translate it (also New American Bible, New International Version, and Bible en français courant). And this is the form also in which the text is used in Revelation 2.27; 12.5; 19.15.

A rod of iron is a figure of the ruthless power the king will use to defeat the pagan nations (New Jerusalem Bible “with an iron mace”). In some languages it is unnatural to speak of “breaking” nations with an instrument. Other figures of speech which are natural in the language may be found which will symbolize despotic rule; for example, “to trample with the feet” or “to strike with the fist.”

A potter’s vessel: “pottery” (New International Version), “a clay pot” (Good News Translation, New English Bible), “pots” (New Jerusalem Bible). This was easily broken and could not be put back together. Here it is a figure of complete and permanent destruction.

In most areas of the world, potter’s vessel can be translated as a “clay pot.” However, where clay pots are not made and known, a substitute, breakable article of local manufacture may be used.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Psalm 2: Layer by Layer

The following are presentations by the Psalms: Layer by Layer project, run by Scriptura . The first is an overview and the second an introduction into the poetry of Psalm 2.


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The overview in French (click or tap here to view the video):


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The overview in Russian (click or tap here to view the video):


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Why Do the People Rebel? Psalm 2

The following is an English translation of Psalm 2 into song by linguists & professional musicians under the auspices of The Spoken English Bible , an oral Bible translation designed to reach Americans who may not yet engage with Scripture and to serve as a model for Bible translation in minority languages.

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