Why do the heathen rage, What are the nations dreaming?

Representative Text

1 Why do the heathen rage?
What are the nations dreaming?
In vain against the Lord
And His Anointed scheming,
Kings of the earth arise,
And leaguéd rulers say:
"Come, let us break their bands,
And cast their cords away."

2 He who is throned in heaven
Derides their preparation;
The Lord upon them pours
His scornful indignation:
Soon shall His voice of wrath
Their souls with terror thrill
"Yet I have set my King
On Zion's holy hill."--

3 Now will I cry aloud
And tell the Lord's great token:
"Thou art My Son," He saith:
To me the word was spoken:
"Yea, Thee have I this day
Begotten: ask of Me,
And Thine the heathen, Thine
Earth's utmost parts shall be:

4 Beneath Thine iron rod
Thy foemen shall be shattered,
As by the potter's hand
The broken shreds lie scattered."
Be wise, then, O ye kings,
Ye earthly judges, hear;
Serve ye the Lord with awe,
Rejoice with trembling fear.

5 Bow down and kiss the Son,
Lest, if His wrath awaken,
Ye fail and fade away,
For evermore forsaken.
Soon may His anger burn,
A lightly kindled flame;
Then blessed are all they
That trust His holy name.

Source: The Lutheran Hymnary #217

Author: Benjamin H. Kennedy

Kennedy, Benjamin Hall, D.D., son of the Rev. Raun Kennedy, sometime Incumbent of St. Paul's, Birmingham, and editor of A Church of England Psalm-Book, &c, 1821 (12th ed. 1848), was born at Summer Hill, near Birmingham, Nov. 6, 1804, and educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham; Shrewsbury School; and St. John's College, Cambridge. He graduated B.A. in 1827 (First Class Classical Tripos and First Chancellor's Medallist). He was Fellow of his College 1828-36; Head Master of Shrewsbury School, 1836-66; and Regius Professor of Greek in the University of Cambridge and Canon of Ely , 1867. Dr. Kennedy took Holy Orders in 1829, and was for some time Prebendaiy in Lichfield Cathedral and Rector of West Felton, Salop. He was elected Hon. Fellow… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Why do the heathen rage, What are the nations dreaming?
Author: Benjamin H. Kennedy
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

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Church Poetry #2a

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The Lutheran Hymnary #217

Book of Hymns for the Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Wisconsin and Other States #d288

Book of Hymns for the joint Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and other states #d289

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