# General Information:

Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-poetry]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism]])

# Why are the nations in turmoil, and why do the peoples devise vain plans?

These questions are used to show surprise that the people are doing things that are so wrong and foolish. Alternate translation: "The nations are in turmoil and the peoples are devising vain plans." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion]])

# are the nations in turmoil

This probably means that the nations were making a noisy and angry commotion.

# the nations

This represents either the leaders or the people of the nations. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy]])

# vain plans

These are probably plots against God and his people.