Post by Lee on Jan 4, 2014 19:52:50 GMT
The Psalms Diversified—Psalm 2
The second Psalm is quoted more than once in the apostolic writings.
In one of the cases, the quotation is prefaced by the declaration that
God is the speaker, "by the mouth of thy servant David." We have consequently,
in this Psalm, a subject of profound reflection. A speech of
God, is it not necessarily deep? As a fact, the Psalm is suggestive of
deeper and more glorious thoughts than some other parts of the Word.
These thoughts are amplified somewhat in the succeeding stanzas, by
the aid of the information on the same topic which other parts of the
word supply. It is a topic embracing the whole economy of things related
to personal hopes and fears.
The man whose mind opens fully to the views presented, will find
himself in full possession of every incentive on which hope and steadfastness
can depend. Nothing could be more powerful than its lesson,
though that lesson often lacks force from familiarity. That lesson is
that, notwithstanding the quiet contradiction of the senses, God rules in
the kingdoms of men, and has an actual work in progress in the earth
which is destined to abolish the dark and dreary dispensation now current,
and to establish an everlasting age of light and joy under the ascendancy
of the Glorious Man already provided. This Glorious Man must
sit enthroned on Zion before the blessedness can come: but there he will
at last appear, to the perdition of all earthly thrones and crowns, and
with the very reverse effect on the thrones of the house of David. This
conviction—resting on the ipsissima verba of Deity—has power to inspire
the heart with heroic resolution in the midst of the depressions and distractions
of the present gloomy order of things. —R.R.
THE SECOND PSALM
Marvel of marvels under heaven, what can be compared to this?
That man, as if with madness driven, should strive when God would bless
Such marvel time has often shewn; in act and hateful word
Such marvel will again be known, alas, in fire and sword.
Why should frail man oppose His will, when God proceeds to work,
Can creature force or human skill prevail where lightnings lurk?
His crowds and acclamations: his hosts in war's array
May weigh with men and nations, men's aims to help or stay.
But who can help or hinder Him who holds the stars on high?
What earthborn can encounter Him who made and fills the sky?
Why should the heathen rage against Great Nature's greater King,
Why should the people, joining them, imagine a vain thing?
God sent forth His anointed: stood by and loved him well,
Power-girt him as appointed; yea, deigned with him to dwell;
Yet Israel, in their blindness, against him set their face,
They set at naught his kindness: his acts of power and grace.
They sought the help of evil men—base people, baser kings—
They gave him up like wicked men, and heaped on cruel things;
"Away, away," they loudly cried; "him crucify and kill,"
They shouted till their throats were dried and hoarse with fierce ill-will.
"Mad-people! your strange ways confound: against your God you fight,
You limit Him Who has no bound: to Whom there is no night,
Oh, turn ye from your witless way, Obey the voice from high.
Avert dark retribution's day, which threatens in the sky.
God dwells in heaven and suffers long: Love is His very name.
Yet comes a time when anger strong, sends forth devouring flame;"
Ye have found this, Ο Israel, in troubles, long and sore,
In exile taunt, and every ill, in deep vexation's store.
The Gentiles also shall the cup of sore displeasure drink,
Their states and kingdoms broken up, in deep perdition sink,
He that sits on high shall laugh in sore derision's tones,
The Lord shall vex them in His wrath, and ev'n crush all their bones.
And then will Christ in Zion's fame, reign king of all the earth
Established in his Father's name, the heir by royal birth,
For not on his own power all rests, that sceptre's right to sway,
But His, the Maker, Who attests, "Thou art My son this day."
Father of all, and Abraham's God, the owner of all things,
Bequeaths him this inheritance, the Throne of king of kings;
Earth's utmost shore—her fairest fields—are his by heaven's decree,
Labor her highest honor yields to him by land and sea.
The Powers may league and plot to wrest the sceptre from his hand,
Their skilled intrigue and plans the best he'll foil on sea and land;
Their ironclads sink, their armies kill, the things in which they trust,
A touch from his strong hand will still their tumult in the dust.
Be wise now, therefore, Ο ye kings, and all men everywhere,
Earth's judges, and all worldly things, this heaven-sent king beware;
Though silent now, he will be heard; he comes to take his power,
His might, though gentle, deeply stirred, will make the nations cower.
When once his anger's kindled flame begins on you to burn,
Yourselves will curse your shame-hid-name, your own house overturn;
How blessed then will those appear who walk in Christ's own way,
Who trust in him and hope with fear to stand with him that day.
(R.R. -1885)
The second Psalm is quoted more than once in the apostolic writings.
In one of the cases, the quotation is prefaced by the declaration that
God is the speaker, "by the mouth of thy servant David." We have consequently,
in this Psalm, a subject of profound reflection. A speech of
God, is it not necessarily deep? As a fact, the Psalm is suggestive of
deeper and more glorious thoughts than some other parts of the Word.
These thoughts are amplified somewhat in the succeeding stanzas, by
the aid of the information on the same topic which other parts of the
word supply. It is a topic embracing the whole economy of things related
to personal hopes and fears.
The man whose mind opens fully to the views presented, will find
himself in full possession of every incentive on which hope and steadfastness
can depend. Nothing could be more powerful than its lesson,
though that lesson often lacks force from familiarity. That lesson is
that, notwithstanding the quiet contradiction of the senses, God rules in
the kingdoms of men, and has an actual work in progress in the earth
which is destined to abolish the dark and dreary dispensation now current,
and to establish an everlasting age of light and joy under the ascendancy
of the Glorious Man already provided. This Glorious Man must
sit enthroned on Zion before the blessedness can come: but there he will
at last appear, to the perdition of all earthly thrones and crowns, and
with the very reverse effect on the thrones of the house of David. This
conviction—resting on the ipsissima verba of Deity—has power to inspire
the heart with heroic resolution in the midst of the depressions and distractions
of the present gloomy order of things. —R.R.
THE SECOND PSALM
Marvel of marvels under heaven, what can be compared to this?
That man, as if with madness driven, should strive when God would bless
Such marvel time has often shewn; in act and hateful word
Such marvel will again be known, alas, in fire and sword.
Why should frail man oppose His will, when God proceeds to work,
Can creature force or human skill prevail where lightnings lurk?
His crowds and acclamations: his hosts in war's array
May weigh with men and nations, men's aims to help or stay.
But who can help or hinder Him who holds the stars on high?
What earthborn can encounter Him who made and fills the sky?
Why should the heathen rage against Great Nature's greater King,
Why should the people, joining them, imagine a vain thing?
God sent forth His anointed: stood by and loved him well,
Power-girt him as appointed; yea, deigned with him to dwell;
Yet Israel, in their blindness, against him set their face,
They set at naught his kindness: his acts of power and grace.
They sought the help of evil men—base people, baser kings—
They gave him up like wicked men, and heaped on cruel things;
"Away, away," they loudly cried; "him crucify and kill,"
They shouted till their throats were dried and hoarse with fierce ill-will.
"Mad-people! your strange ways confound: against your God you fight,
You limit Him Who has no bound: to Whom there is no night,
Oh, turn ye from your witless way, Obey the voice from high.
Avert dark retribution's day, which threatens in the sky.
God dwells in heaven and suffers long: Love is His very name.
Yet comes a time when anger strong, sends forth devouring flame;"
Ye have found this, Ο Israel, in troubles, long and sore,
In exile taunt, and every ill, in deep vexation's store.
The Gentiles also shall the cup of sore displeasure drink,
Their states and kingdoms broken up, in deep perdition sink,
He that sits on high shall laugh in sore derision's tones,
The Lord shall vex them in His wrath, and ev'n crush all their bones.
And then will Christ in Zion's fame, reign king of all the earth
Established in his Father's name, the heir by royal birth,
For not on his own power all rests, that sceptre's right to sway,
But His, the Maker, Who attests, "Thou art My son this day."
Father of all, and Abraham's God, the owner of all things,
Bequeaths him this inheritance, the Throne of king of kings;
Earth's utmost shore—her fairest fields—are his by heaven's decree,
Labor her highest honor yields to him by land and sea.
The Powers may league and plot to wrest the sceptre from his hand,
Their skilled intrigue and plans the best he'll foil on sea and land;
Their ironclads sink, their armies kill, the things in which they trust,
A touch from his strong hand will still their tumult in the dust.
Be wise now, therefore, Ο ye kings, and all men everywhere,
Earth's judges, and all worldly things, this heaven-sent king beware;
Though silent now, he will be heard; he comes to take his power,
His might, though gentle, deeply stirred, will make the nations cower.
When once his anger's kindled flame begins on you to burn,
Yourselves will curse your shame-hid-name, your own house overturn;
How blessed then will those appear who walk in Christ's own way,
Who trust in him and hope with fear to stand with him that day.
(R.R. -1885)