Classic Poem

SECTION I .

Viewed as a Direction to Kings and Rulers.

The mighty God of heav'n hath spoke,
Let kings on earth attend;
To them and me doth Israel's Rock
The following message send.

Let mortals over mortals reign,
In just and pious mode,
With sceptres righteous toward men,
Religious toward God.

Then beauteous, like the morning ray,
Shall be the ruling train;
And sweet, like fragrant flow'ry May,
Refresh'd with sun and rain.

Though not my house nor throne be so
Grown up with God, I grant,
Yet he hath made with me, I know,
A gracious covenant:

'Tis everlasting, sure, entire,
Well ordered ev'ry way;
'Tis my whole bliss, my whole desire,
Though he the growth delay.

But rebel sons of Belial must
The sceptre's value know,
As both a shield to fence the just,
And sword to lash the foe.

To justice, hurtful thorns he doom'd,
Not touch'd with naked hand,
But quite with fire and sword consum'd,
In places where they stand.

SECTION II .

The same words viewed, according to some interpreters, and the Dutch Translation, as a Prophecy of Christ, the King of Zion: whence they may be paraphrased in the following manner.

A Glorious Ruler over men,
Shall in due time appear;
Just, ruling still without a stain,
And in Jehovah's fear.

Bright, like the rising sun, shall he,
In light unclouded shine;
Spread, like the verdant spring, shall be
His influence divine.

Although my house be not with God
So, as it ought indeed;
Yet stands his cov'nant, wide and broad,
With me and with my seed:

To which it shall for ever sure,
And in all order stay,
Till he in whom my line 's secure,
Set up his throne for aye.

He's my salvation, my desire,
My all that God can bring;
Though, till the time design'd expire,
He makes him not to spring.

But, when he mounts, in royal state,
His throne of righteousness,
(Though still he'll keep the mercy-seat,
And thence his subjects bless.)

Yet shall his sword of justice chase
The rebel crew to hell,
And waste his murd'rers in the place,
Ev'n Salem, where they dwell.