Psalm 2
Words: The Psalter of the United Presbyterian Church of North America, 1887 ed.
Note: This page also has versions of this
psalm in 7's and Long Metre
1 Why rage the heathen? and vain things
Why do the people mind?
The kings of earth do set themselves,
and princes are combined,
2 To plot against the Lord, and his
Anointed, saying thus,
Let us asunder break their bands,
And cast their cords from us.
3 But he that sits in heav'n shall laugh;
The Lord shall scorn them all;
Then shall he speak to them in wrath,
In rage he vex them shall.
4 Yet I my King anointed have
Upon my holy hill;
And reign as King on Zion mount
For evermore he will.
5 The sure decree I will declare;
The Lord hath said to me,
Thou art my only Son; this day
I have begotten thee.
6 Ask me, and for thy heritage
The heathen I'll make thine;
And, for possession, I to thee
Will give earth's utmost line.
7 Thou shalt as with a weighty rod
Of iron break them all;
And them, as potter's vessel, thou
Shalt dash in pieces small.
8 Now, therefore, kings, be wise; be taught,
Ye judges of the earth;
In holy fear Jehovah serve,
and tremble in your mirth.
9 And kiss the Son, lest in his ire
Ye perish from the way,
If once his wrath begin to burn.
Blest all that on him stay.
1 Why do heathen nations rage ?
Why vain things do people mind?
Kings of earth in plots engage,
Rulers are in league combined.
2 Thus against the Lord they speak,
Thus against his Christ they say,
Let us join their bands to break,
Let us cast their cords away."
3 He shall laugh who sits above,
God most high shall scorn them all;
Them in anger fierce reprove;
Burning wrath shall on them fall.
4 Yet according to my will,
Have I set my King to reign;
Him on Zion's holy hill,
My Anointed, I'll maintain.
5 Thus hath said the Lord Most High,
I will publish the decree:
Thee I own my Son, for I
Have this day begotten thee.
6 Ask, for heritage I'll make
All the heathen nations thine;
Thou shalt in possession take
Earth to its remotest line.
7 Let thy rod of iron fall;
Break them with thy scepter's sway;
Dash them into pieces small,
Like the potter's brittle clay.
8 Therefore, kings, be wise, give ear;
Hearken, judges of the earth;
Learn to serve the Lord with fear,
Mingle trembling with your mirth.
9 Fear his wrath, and kiss the Son,
Lest ye perish from the way,
When his wrath is but begun.
Blest are all that on him stay.
1 Why do the heathen storm with ire ?
The people vanity devise?
The rulers craftily conspire,
The kings of earth rebellious rise.
2 Against the Lord they lift their hands,
Against him and his Christ they say,
"Asunder let us break their bands,
And from us cast their cords away."
3 He that in heaven sits shall laugh,
Jehovah shall deride them all;
Then as he speaks in burning wrath~
Dismay and dread shall on them fall.
4 Yet notwithstanding I ordain"
Thus shall he speak his sov'reign will
"He my anointed King shall reign,
On Zion, my own holy hill."
5 Thus spake to me the Holy One,
I utter now the Lord's decree,
Thou art proclaimed my only Son
This day have I begotten thee.
6 "Ask for inheritance of me,
And I will make the heathen thine;
And for possession, give to thee
The earth to its remotest line.
7 "An iron scepter thou shalt sway,
And with it break and crush them all
Even like the potter's brittle clay,
Thou shalt them dash in pieces small."
8 And now, ye kings, be wise and hear;
Be warned, ye judges of the earth;
See that ye serve the Lord with fear,
And mingle trembling with your mirth.
9 Unto the Son your homage pay,
Lest, when his wrath begins to flame1
Ye fall and perish from the way.
Blest all confiding in his name.
