Psalm 2 warns rulers to “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way” Psalm 2:12. In the same verse, it contrasts that warning with the blessing for those who take refuge in him Psalm 2:12.
Psalm 2 ends with a direct, urgent appeal to rulers and hearers: respond rightly to the Son and avoid a disastrous outcome. The verse pictures two paths. One is humble submission, expressed as “kiss the son,” which aims to prevent his anger from breaking out. The other is refusing, which leads to perishing “in the way” when his anger quickly flares. This final verse concludes the flow of Psalm 2. Earlier, nations and kings resist the LORD and his anointed, but the LORD asserts his rule and installs his king, and the king speaks of a decree and inheritance. The psalm then turns from describing rebellion to addressing the rebels directly with counsel and warning.
Psalm 2:12 closes the psalm with a final warning and a final refuge. The text presents two paths: showing allegiance to “the son” (“kiss the son”) or refusing and facing ruin. The warning is urgent because the son’s anger can “ignite quickly,” and the result is described as “perish in the way” (perishing while continuing on that course).
A common mistake is to turn the wording into a slogan. The better reading keeps the phrase tied to the passage, the speaker, and the problem the book is addressing.
Start with Psalms 2:12, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
12Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, For his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him. Psalm 3 A Psalm by David, when he fled from Absalom, his son.