'Psalm 02' by John Milton
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The Poetical Works of John Milton1653Done Aug. 8. 1653. Terzetti.Why do the Gentiles tumult, and the Nations
Muse a vain thing, the Kings of th'earth upstand
With power, and Princes in their Congregations
Lay deep their plots together through each Land,
Against the Lord and his Messiah dear.
Let us break off; say they, by strength of hand
Their bonds, and cast from us, no more to wear,
Their twisted cords: he who in Heaven doth dwell
Shall laugh, the Lord shall scoff them, then severe
Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fellAnd fierce ire trouble them; but I saith hee
Anointed have my King (though ye rebell)
On Sion my holi' hill.A firm decree
I will declare; the Lord to me hath say'd
Thou art my Son I have begotten thee
This day, ask of me, and the grant is made;
As thy possession I on thee bestow
Th'Heathen, and as thy conquest to be sway'd
Earths utmost bounds: them shalt thou bring full low
With Iron Sceptir bruis'd, and them disperseLike to a potters vessel shiver'd so.
And now be wise at length ye Kings averse
Be taught ye Judges of the earth; with fear
Jehovah serve and let your joy converse
With trembling;Kiss the Son least he appear
In anger and ye perish in the way
If once his wrath take fire like fuel sere.
Happy all those who have in him their stay.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Psalm 02 by John Milton: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Psalm 02 is a powerful piece of poetry written by John Milton, one of the greatest English poets of all time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at this masterpiece and explore its themes, structure, language, and imagery. We will also examine the historical and cultural context in which it was written, as well as its relevance to contemporary readers.
Historical and Cultural Context
Psalm 02 was written by John Milton in the 17th century, a time of great political and religious upheaval in England. The poem reflects the tensions and conflicts of this period, particularly the struggle between the monarchy and Parliament, and between the Church of England and nonconformist religious groups.
Milton was a Puritan and a republican, who believed in the sovereignty of the people and the need for political and religious freedom. He was a staunch opponent of the monarchy and the established church, and he expressed his views through his poetry and prose works.
Psalm 02 was part of a collection of poems and prose works that Milton wrote during the English Civil War, a period of intense conflict between the monarchy and Parliament. The poem reflects Milton's political and religious beliefs, as well as his poetic genius and mastery of language.
Structure and Themes
Psalm 02 is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and meter. The poem is divided into two parts: the first eight lines present a problem or question, while the last six lines offer a solution or answer.
The poem opens with a question: "Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing?" (line 1). The speaker is asking why the nations of the world are so angry and why they are plotting against God and his anointed one.
The poem then describes the rebellion of the nations, who are plotting against God and his anointed one: "The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying," (lines 2-3). The nations are portrayed as arrogant and foolish, plotting against God and his anointed one, who is identified as the king of Israel.
The poem then presents God's response to the rebellion of the nations: "He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision." (lines 4-5). God is portrayed as powerful and superior, laughing at the foolishness of the nations and mocking their rebellion.
The poem then presents God's declaration of his anointed one: "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." (line 6). God declares that he has chosen his anointed one, his king, who will rule from Zion, his holy hill.
The poem then presents a warning to the nations: "Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth." (line 10). The speaker is warning the nations to be wise and to submit to God and his anointed one, or face the consequences of their rebellion.
Finally, the poem concludes with a call to worship God: "Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling." (line 11). The speaker is urging the nations to worship God with fear and trembling, acknowledging his power and majesty.
Language and Imagery
Psalm 02 is a poem that is rich in language and imagery, reflecting Milton's poetic genius and mastery of language. The poem uses a variety of literary devices, including metaphors, similes, allusions, and personification.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of imagery. The poem uses vivid imagery to convey its themes and emotions, particularly its portrayal of God and his anointed one. God is portrayed as a powerful and majestic figure, sitting in the heavens and laughing at the foolishness of the nations. His anointed one is portrayed as the king of Israel, ruling from Zion, his holy hill.
The poem also uses metaphors and similes to describe the rebellion of the nations. The nations are compared to raging waves, threatening to overwhelm the anointed one: "Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." (lines 1-6).
Overall, the language and imagery of the poem are powerful and evocative, conveying the themes of the poem with great emotional impact.
Relevance to Contemporary Readers
Although Psalm 02 was written in the 17th century, its themes and messages are still relevant to contemporary readers. The poem speaks to the universal human experience of rebellion and submission, power and authority, and the need for wisdom and worship.
The poem also speaks to contemporary political and religious issues, particularly the tensions between different nations and religions, and the need for political and religious freedom. The poem offers a powerful message of hope and redemption, asserting the sovereignty of God and his anointed one, and urging the nations to submit to his authority.
In conclusion, Psalm 02 is a powerful and timeless piece of poetry that speaks to the human experience with great emotional impact. Its themes of rebellion and submission, power and authority, and the need for wisdom and worship are still relevant to contemporary readers, and its language and imagery are a testament to Milton's poetic genius and mastery of language.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
John Milton's Psalm 02 is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful and moving piece that speaks to the human condition and the struggles that we all face in life. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and motifs that are present in this poem and examine how they contribute to its overall impact.
The first thing that strikes the reader about Psalm 02 is its use of language. Milton's writing is rich and evocative, and he uses a variety of literary devices to create a sense of depth and complexity. For example, he employs alliteration and assonance to create a musical quality to the poem, which adds to its emotional impact. Additionally, he uses metaphors and similes to create vivid images that help to convey the poem's themes.
One of the primary themes of Psalm 02 is the idea of rebellion. The poem begins with the lines, "Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed." This passage sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the nature of rebellion and its consequences.
Milton's use of language in this section is particularly effective. The repetition of the word "against" emphasizes the opposition between the rebellious nations and the Lord, while the use of the word "Anointed" suggests that the rebellion is not just against God, but against His chosen representative on earth. This creates a sense of urgency and drama that draws the reader in and makes them invested in the outcome of the conflict.
Another important theme in Psalm 02 is the idea of divine justice. Throughout the poem, Milton emphasizes the idea that God will ultimately triumph over the rebellious nations. He writes, "He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure." This passage suggests that God is not only aware of the rebellion, but that He is actively working to bring it to an end.
Milton's use of language in this section is particularly powerful. The image of God laughing at the rebellious nations creates a sense of irony and underscores the futility of their efforts. Additionally, the use of the word "wrath" suggests that God's response to rebellion is not just measured, but also just. This creates a sense of moral clarity that is essential to the poem's impact.
A third theme in Psalm 02 is the idea of redemption. While the poem is primarily concerned with the consequences of rebellion, it also suggests that there is a way out of this cycle of violence and conflict. Milton writes, "Now therefore, be wise, O kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little."
This passage suggests that there is a way to avoid God's wrath and find redemption. By serving the Lord with fear and trembling, the rebellious nations can avoid the consequences of their actions and find a way to live in harmony with God's will. This creates a sense of hope and possibility that is essential to the poem's impact.
In conclusion, Psalm 02 is a powerful and moving piece of poetry that speaks to the human condition and the struggles that we all face in life. Through its use of language and imagery, it creates a sense of urgency and drama that draws the reader in and makes them invested in the outcome of the conflict. Additionally, its themes of rebellion, divine justice, and redemption create a sense of moral clarity and possibility that is essential to its impact. Overall, Psalm 02 is a classic piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
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