The Psalms of David | Page 6

last trumpet shakes the skies.
5 In vain the rebel seeks to stand In judgment with the pious race; The dreadful Judge with stern command Divides him to a different place.
6 "Straight is the way my saints have trod, "I blest the path and drew it plain; "But you would choose the crooked road, "And down it leads to endless pain.
Psalm 2:1. S. M. Translated according to the divine pattern, Acts iv. 24 &c.
Christ dying, rising, interceding, and reigning.
1 [Maker and sovereign Lord Of heaven, and earth, and seas, Thy providence confirms thy word, And answers thy decrees.
2 The things so long foretold By David are fulfill'd, When Jews and Gentiles join to slay Jesus, thine holy child.]
3 Why did the Gentiles rage, And Jews with one accord Bend all their counsels to destroy Th' anointed of the Lord?
4 Rulers and kings agree To form a vain design; Against the Lord their powers unite, Against his Christ they join.
5 The Lord derides their rage, And will support his throne; He that hath rais'd him from the dead Hath own'd him for his Son.
PAUSE.
6 Now he's ascended high, And asks to rule the earth; The merit of his blood be pleads, And pleads his heavenly birth.
7 He asks, and God bestows A large inheritance; Far as the world's remotest ends His kingdom shall advance.
8 The nations that rebel Must feel his iron rod; He'll vindicate those honours well Which he receiv'd from God.
9 [Be wise, ye rulers, now, And worship at his throne; With trembling joy, ye people, bow To God's exalted Son.
10 If once his wrath arise, Ye perish on the place; Then blessed is the soul that flies For refuge to his grace.]
Psalm 2:2. C. M. The same.
1 Why did the nations join to slay The Lord's anointed Son? Why did they cast his laws away, And tread his gospel down?
2 The Lord that sits above the skies, Derides their rage below, He speaks with vengeance in his eyes, And strikes their spirits thro'.
3 "I call him my Eternal Son, "And raise him from the dead; "I make my holy hill his throne, "And wide his kingdom spread.
4 "Ask me, my Son, and then enjoy "The utmost heathen lands: "Thy rod of iron shall destroy "The rebel that withstands."
5 Be wise, ye rulers of the earth, Obey th' anointed Lord, Adore the king of heavenly birth, And tremble at his word.
6 With humble love address his throne, For if he frown ye die; Those are secure, and those alone, Who on his grace rely.
Psalm 2:3. L. M. Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension.
1 Why did the Jews proclaim their rage? The Romans why their swords employ? Against the Lord their powers engage His dear anointed to destroy?
2 "Come, let us break his bands," they say, "This man shall never give us laws ;" And thus they cast his yoke away, And nail'd the monarch to the cross.
3 But God, who high in glory reigns, Laughs at their pride, their rage controls; He'll vex their hearts with inward pains, And speak in thunder to their souls.
4 "I will maintain the King I made "On Zion's everlasting hill, "My hand shall bring him from the dead, "And he shall stand your sovereign still."
5 [His wondrous rising from the earth Makes his eternal Godhead known! The Lord declares his heavenly birth, "This day have I begot my Son.
6 "Ascend, my Son, to my right hand, "There thou shalt ask, and I bestow "The utmost bounds of heathen lands; "To thee the northern isles shall bow."]
7 But nations that resist his grace Shall fall beneath his iron stroke; His rod shall crush his foes with ease As potters' earthen work is broke.
PAUSE.
8 Now, ye that sit on earthly thrones, Be wise, and serve the Lord, the Lamb; at his feet submit your crowns, Rejoice and tremble at his name.
9 With humble love address the Son, Lest he grow angry and ye die; His wrath will burn to worlds unknown If ye provoke his jealousy.
10 His storms shall drive you quick to hell: He is a God, and ye but dust: Happy the souls that know him well, And make his grace their only trust.
Psalm 3:1. C. M. Doubts and fears supprest; or, God our defence from sin and Satan.
1 My God, how many are my fears! How fast my foes increase! Conspiring my eternal death, They break my present peace.
2 The lying tempter would persuade There's no relief in heaven; And all my swelling sins appear Too big to be forgiven.
3 But thou, my glory and my strength, Shalt on the tempter tread, Shalt silence all my threatening guilt, And raise my drooping head.
4 [I cry'd, and from his holy hill He bow'd a listening ear, I call'd my Father, and my God, And he