Doctor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David ‎#IIc

IIc. 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 smite 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 wond'rous 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 their suppliant tribes shall bow."]

7 But nations that resist his grace
Shall fall beneath his lifted rod;
His arm shall crush the impious race,
That dares provoke th' avenging GOD.

Pause.

8 Now, ye that sit on earthly thrones,
Be wise, and serve the Lord the Lamb:
Now to 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,
His love gives life above the sky.

10 His storms shall quell the stubborn foe,
And sink his honours in the dust:
Happy the souls, their God that know,
And make his grace their only trust.

Text Information

• First Line: Why did the Jews proclaim their rage?
• Title: Christ's Death, Resurrection, and Ascension
• Meter: Long Metre
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1785
• Scripture:
  Psalm 2

Tune Information

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