Why Do the People Rage?

Why do the peo­ple rage

Devising fran­tic things?

Why do the kings of earth en­gage

Against the King of kings?

Come

let us burst His yoke

they say

And cast His hate­ful bonds away!

God on His heav’nl­y throne

Laughs at their im­pi­ous aims;

He made the na­tions for His own

And thus His will pro­claims

On Zi­on’s hill My King shall sit;

Perish

ye re­bels

or sub­mit!

Ere time its course be­gan

I is­sued My de­cree

This day

My Son

the Son of Man

Have I be­got­ten Thee.

To Thee the world and all that live

Thy blood-bought her­it­age

I give!

Hear then

ye mon­archs

hear!

Ye great

a Great­er own!

Bow down with ho­ly joy and fear

Before Mes­si­ah’s throne!

Upon Him life and death de­pend;

O blest who find in Christ a friend!