Quare Fremuerunt Gentes
Psalm 2
What ails this heathenish rage? What do these people mean
To mutter murmurs vain?
Why do these earthly kings, and lords such meeting make
And counsel jointly take
Against the Lord of lords, the Lord of every thing
And His anointed king?
Come let us break their bonds, say they, and fondly say
And cast their yokes away.
But He shall them deride, who by the heavens is borne
He shall laugh them to scorn
And after speak to them with breath of wrathful fire
And vex them in His ire.
And say (O kings) yet have I set my king upon
My holy hill Zion.
And I will (saith His king) the Lord’s decree display
And say that He did say:
Thou art my Son indeed this day begot by me:
Ask I will give to thee
The heathen for thy childs-right, and will thy realm extend
Far as world’s farthest end.
With iron scepter crush thou shalt and piecemeal break
These men like potsherds weak.
Therefore (O kings) be wise, O rulers rule your mind
That knowledge you may find.
Serve God, serve Him with fear: rejoice in Him but so
That joy with trembling go.
With loving homage kiss that only Son He hath
Lest you enflame His wrath
Whereof if but a spark once kindled be, you all
From your way perish shall.
And then they that in Him their only trust do rest,
O they be rightly blessed.
Sir Philip Sidney
Sandpapered for the modern reader by Douglas Wilson
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