Untitled article by Editor

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, July 16, 1867

PARAPHRASE OF PSALM II.

By Editor

Why rise the heathen in tumultuous state? Why do the people vain things meditate? The kings of earth come forth in bold array, And all the rulers rise as to the prey, They counsel take against the Lord most high, The work of his anointed they defy. Let us, they say, asunder burst their bands, And cast their cords from our unwilling hands. But He who high in Heaven o'er all doth reign, And from his throne beholds the ways of men, Shall laugh to scorn the puny war they wage, And in derision dire, thwart all their rage. In wrath his voice from Heaven shall on them roar, In holy anger shall he vex them sore.

Know ye that Zion is my holy hill, And there I've set my king; for thus I will. And now will I declare the firm decree: Thou art my Son, I have begotten thee, On this auspicious day; thus said the Lord; Yea, ask of me and thou shalt have reward; The heathen are thy heritage from me, And utmost earth shall thy possession be, O'er them shalt thou an iron rule extend, And they who would not to thy mercy bend, Like potter's vessels frail, in anger broke, Shall lie in shivers 'neath thine awful stroke.

Then O ye kings, learn prudent wisdom now, Be taught ye judges of the earth to bow, The Lord your ruler serve with reverent fear, And joined with trembling let your joy appear, With fervent acts of homage meet the Son, Lest he be angry at your deeds undone; For should his flame of wrath but slightly burn, How soon would all your steps to ruin turn.

But never hope laid on the Lord shall fall; And they are blest who trust to him their all.

Ed.