1 Why did the Jews proclaim their rage,
The Romans, why their swords employ
Against the LORD their pow'rs 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 nailed the monarch to the cross.
3 But GOD who high in glory reigns,
Laughs at their pride, their rage controuls;
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 sov'reign still."
5 [His wond'rous rising from the earth,
Makes his eternal Godhead known;
The LORD declares his heav'nly 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;
Now 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.