STANZA 1
Wherefore do the nations rage
and the people vainly dream
that in triumph they can wage
war against the King supreme?
Christ His Son a scoff they make,
and the rulers, plotting, say:
“Their dominion let us break,
let us cast their yoke away.”

STANZA 2
But the Lord will scorn them all,
calm, He sits enthroned on high;
soon His wrath will on them fall,
sore displeased He will reply:
“Yet according to My will
I have set My King to reign,
and on Zion’s holy hill
my Anointed I maintain.”

STANZA 3
This His word shall be made known,
this Jehovah’s firm decree:
“Thou art My beloved Son,
yea, I have begotten Thee.
All the earth at Thy request
I will give Thee for Thy own;
then Thy might shall be confessed
and Thy foes be overthrown.”

STANZA 4
Therefore, kings, be wise, give ear;
hearken, judges of the earth;
learn to serve the Lord with fear,
mingle trembling with your mirth.
Kiss the Son, lest o’er your way
His consuming wrath should break;
but supremely blest are they
who in Christ their refuge take.

—The Psalter, 1912