from Tallis's "Tunes for Archbishop Parker's Psalter", a setting of Psalm 2 from Archbishop Matthew Parker's poetic translation of the Psalms.

1567

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Original spelling*

1. Why fumeth in sight: the Gentils spite,
In fury raging stout?
Why taketh in hond: the people fond,
Vayne thinges to bring about?

2. The kinges arise: the lordes devise,
in counsayles mett therto:
Agaynst the Lord: with false accord,
against his Christ they go.

3. Let us they say: breake downe their ray,
of all their bondes and cordes:
We will renounce: that they pronounce,
their loores as stately lordes.

4. But God of might: in heaven so bright,
Shall laugh them all to scorne:
The Lord on hie: shall them defie,
they shall be once forlorne.

5. Then shall his ire: speake all in fire,
to them agayne therfore:
He shall with threate: their malice beate,
in his displeasure sore.

6. Yet am I set: a king so great,
on Sion hill full fast:
Though me they kill: yet will that hill,
my lawe and worde outcast.

7. Gods wordes decreed: I (Christ) wil sprede
for God thus sayd to mee:
My sonne I say: thou art, this day,
I have begotten thee.

8. Aske thou of mee: I will geve thee,
to rule all Gentils londes:
Thou shalt possesse: in suernesse,
the world how wide it stondes.

9. With iron rod: as mighty God,
all rebels shalt thou bruse:
And breake them all: in pieces small,
as sherdes the potters use.

10. Be wise therfore: ye kinges the more,
Receyve ye wisdomes lore:
Ye judges strong: of right and wrong,
advise you now before.

11. The Lorde in feare: your service beare,
with dread to him rejoyce:
Let rages be: resist not ye,
him serve with joyfull voyce.

12. The sonne kisse ye: lest wroth he be,
lose not the way of rest:
For when his ire: is set on fire,
who trust in hym be blest.

Modern English spelling

1. Why fumeth in sight: the Gentiles spite,
In fury raging stout?
Why taketh in hand: the people fond,
Vain things to bring about?

2. The kings arise: the lords devise,
in counsels met thereto:
Against the Lord: with false accord,
against his Christ they go.

3. Let us they say: break down their ray,
of all their bonds and cords:
We will renounce: that they pronounce,
their lures as stately lords.

4. But God of might: in heaven so bright,
Shall laugh them all to scorn:
The Lord on high: shall them defy,
they shall be once forlorn.

5. Then shall his ire: speak all in fire,
to them again therefore:
He shall with threat: their malice beat,
in his displeasure sore.

6. Yet am I set: a king so great,
on Sion hill full fast:
Though me they kill: yet will that hill,
my law and word outcast.

7. Gods words decreed: I (Christ) will spread
for God thus said to me:
My son I say: thou art, this day,
I have begotten thee.

8. Ask thou of me: I will give thee,
to rule all Gentiles lands:
Thou shalt possess: in sureness,
the world how wide it stands.

9. With iron rod: as mighty God,
all rebels shalt thou bruise:
And break them all: in pieces small,
as shards the potters use.

10. Be wise therefore: ye kings the more,
Receive ye wisdom's lore:
Ye judges strong: of right and wrong,
advise you now before.

11. The Lord in fear: your service bear,
with dread to him rejoice:
Let rages be: resist not ye,
him serve with joyful voice.

12. The son kiss ye: lest wroth he be,
lose not the way of rest:
For when his ire: is set on fire,
who trust in him be blest.


* "v" and "j" are were originally written as "u" and "i" respectively