Psalm 2, why do the heathen rage

Under the influence of the French Reformer John Calvin, The Genevan Psalter was first published in 1539, and the complete psalter with all 150 psalms appearing in 1562. It is a collection of 126 melodies to be used with the 150 Psalms. One scriptural incentive for Calvin was to remove the singing from performers and return it to the congregation. The original was in French, and it is sometimes referred to as the “French Psalter” or the “Huguenot Psalter.” English translations of the words come from various sources, such as the one authorized by the General Synod of the Canadian Reformed Church (first published in 1972). Their Book of Praise, the Anglo-Genevan Psalter, contains English metered verse for all the Psalms. Based on Michael Owens’s Geneva Psalter website, the English lyrics of Psalm 2 below are derived and combined from arrangements of the words that were done by William Helder and Doug Wilson. The tune was composed in 1539, originally for the French metrical version of Psalm 2. The tune is in minor (Dorian mode) with a meter of 10.11.10.11.11.10.11.10.

1. Why do the heathen nations vainly rage?
What haughty schemes are they in vain devising?
The kings of earth and rulers all engage
In evil thoughts and in their sin contriving.
They take their stand against our God’s Messiah,
They claim they will cast off his binding chains;
The Lord enthroned in highest heaven, higher,
Mocks them to scorn, on them derision rains.

2. Though proudly now they raise their battle cry,
How vain is all their frenzied opposition!
The Lord, who sits enthroned in heav’n on high,
Laughs them to scorn: he has them in derision.
Then will he speak in wrath and indignation
And all their host he will with terror fill:
“I’ve set my king,” so runs his proclamation,
“On Zion’s mount, upon my holy hill.”

3. I will declare what God has said to me
For unto me he made this declaration
O people, listen to the Lord’s decree
Who speaks with voice of righteous indignation.
“Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten.”
The estate stands, based on this firm decree,
“No, not one tribe will ever be forgotten;
You will receive the world, just ask of me.”

4. “The nations come, You are the only heir,
The ends of earth will be Your own possession;
And, broken with a rod of iron there,
Rebellious pottery comes to destruction.”
Now serve the Lord with fear, and gladness trembling,
And, therefore, O ye kings, seek wisdom here:
How blessed are those who trust without dissembling,
Who kiss the Son and bow in reverent fear.

A nice rendition of the Genevan tune with the words arranged by Doug Wilson can be found on the YouTube page of St George’s Church, Shrewsbury, England. The sheet music can be found HERE.