Psalm 2

I love Psalm 2. There's no hint of the namby-pamby begging that passes for evangelism today. None of the please-come-to-Jesus-because-He'll-feel-so-bad-if-you-don't kind of pleading that you hear from some preachers. The conclusion of this Psalm is clear and uncompromising: acknowledge God's Anointed (Christ) as your King or be broken in pieces.

(It is not our assignment to break them, but to warn them of that doom should they persist in their rebellion.) Moreover, the Christian Martialist must never forget that he serves under the discipline and at the good pleasure of his King. I like to sing this Psalm to the tune St. Anne (Our God, Our Help in Ages Past).

   1  Why rage the heathen? and vain things
     why do the people mind?
2  Kings of the earth do set themselves,
     and princes are combined,

      To plot against the Lord, and his
     Anointed, saying thus,
3  Let us asunder break their bands,
     and cast their cords from us.

   4  He that in heaven sits shall laugh;
     the Lord shall scorn them all.
5  Then shall he speak to them in wrath,
     in rage he vex them shall.

   6  Yet, notwithstanding, I have him
     to be my King appointed;
  And over Zion, my holy hill,
     I have him King anointed.

   7  The sure decree I will declare:
     The Lord hath said to me,
  Thou art mine only Son; this day
     I have begotten thee.

   8  Ask of me, and for heritage
     the heathen I'll make thine;
  And, for possession, I to thee
     will give earth's utmost line.

   9  Thou shalt, as with a weighty rod
     of iron, break them all;
  And, as a potter's shard, thou shalt
     them dash in pieces small.

  10  Now therefore, kings, be wise; be taught,
     ye judges of the earth:
11  Serve God in fear, and see that ye
     join trembling with your mirth.

  12  Kiss ye the Son, lest in his ire
     ye perish from the way,
  If once his wrath begin to burn:
     blessed all that on him stay.