The Psalms of David Part 2

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.