Psalm 2

Common Metre (8,6,8,6)

Suggested Tunes: 149 York, 88 Montrose, 114 St Gregory, 144 Westminster

1    Why rage the heathen? and vain things

            why do the people mind?

2    Kings of the earth do set themselves,

            and princes are combin’d,

      To plot against the Lord, and his

            Anointed, saying thus,

3    Let us asunder break their bands,

            and cast their cords from us.

4    He that in heaven sits shall laugh;

            the Lord shall scorn them all.

5    Then shall he speak to them in wrath,

            in rage he vex them shall.

6    Yet notwithstanding, I have him

            To be my King appointed;

       And over Sion, my holy hill,

            I have him King anointed.

7    The sure decree I will declare;

            the Lord hath said to me,

      Thou art mine only Son; this day

            I have begotten thee.

8    Ask of me, and for heritage

            the heathen I’ll make thine;

      And, for possession, I to thee

            will give earth’s utmost line.

9    Thou shalt, as with a weighty rod

            or iron, break them all;

      And, as a potter’s sherd, thou shalt

            them dash in pieces small.

10  Now, therefore, kings, be wise; be taught,

            ye judges of the earth:

11   Serve God in fear, and see that ye

            join trembling with your mirth.

12   Kiss ye the Son, lest in his ire

            ye perish from the way,

       If once his wrath begin to burn:

            bless’d all that on him stay.