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 G.o.d, 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 G.o.dhead 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 h.e.l.l: He is a G.o.d, 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, G.o.d our defence from sin and Satan.
1 My G.o.d, 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 G.o.d, And he subdu"d my fear.
5 He shed soft slumbers on mine eyes, In spite of all my foes; I woke, and wonder"d at the grace That guarded my repose.]
6 What though the hosts of death and h.e.l.l All arm"d against me stood, Terrors no more shall shake my soul, My refuge is my G.o.d.
7 Arise, O Lord, fulfil thy grace, While I thy glory sing: My G.o.d has broke the serpent"s teeth, And death has lost his sting.
8 Salvation to the Lord belongs, His arm alone can save; Blessings attend thy people here, And reach beyond the grave.
Psalm 3:2. 1 2 3 4 5 8. L. M.
A morning Psalm.
1 O Lord, how many are my foes, In this weak state of flesh and blood!
My peace they daily discompose, But my defence and hope is G.o.d.
2 Tir"d with the burdens of the day, To thee I rais"d an evening cry; Thou heardst when I began to pray, And thine almighty help was nigh.
3 Supported by thine heavenly aid, I laid me down and slept secure; Not death should make my heart afraid, Tho" I should wake and rise no more.
4 But G.o.d sustain"d me all the night; Salvation doth to G.o.d belong; He rais"d my head to see the light, And make his praise my morning song.
Psalm 4:1. 1 2 3 5 6 7. L. M.
Hearing prayer; or, G.o.d our portion, and Christ our hope.
1 O G.o.d of grace and righteousness, Hear and attend when I complain; Thou hast enlarg"d me in distress, Bow down a gracious ear again.
2 Ye sons of men, in vain ye try To turn my glory into shame; How long will scoffers love to lie, And dare reproach my Saviour"s name!
3 Know that the Lord divides his saints From all the tribes of men beside; He hears the cry of penitents For the dear sake of Christ that dy"d.
4 When our obedient hands have done A thousand works of righteousness, We put our trust in G.o.d alone, And glory in his pardoning grace.
5 Let the unthinking many say, "Who will bestow some earthly good?"
But, Lord, thy light and love we pray, Our souls desire this heavenly food.
6 Then shall my cheerful powers rejoice At grace and favour so divine; Nor will I change my happy choice For all their corn and all their wine.
Psalm 4:2. 3 4 5 8. C. M.
An evening Psalm.