This song is from Rich Mullins' 1989 album, Never Picture Perfect. It's a riff on Psalm 2, and I think it speaks pointedly to our polarized political climate. Used by permission.
lyrics
Why do the nations rage?
Why do they plot and scheme?
Their bullets can't stop the prayers we pray
In the name of the Prince of Peace
We walk in faith and remember long ago
How they killed him and then how on the third day he arose
Well, things may look bad
And things may look grim
But all these things must pass except the things that are of him
Where are the nails that pierced his hands?
Well the nails have turned to rust
But behold the Man
He is risen
And he reigns
In the hearts of the children
Rising up in his name
Where are the thorns that drew his blood?
Well, the thorns have turned to dust
But not so the love
He has given
No, it remains
In the hearts of the children
Who will love while the nations rage
The Lord in Heaven laughs
He knows what is to come
While all the chiefs of state plan their big attacks
Against his anointed One
The Church of God she will not bend her knees
To the gods of this world though they promise her peace
She stands her ground
Stands firm on the Rock
Watch their walls tumble down when she lives out his love
Where are the nails that pierced his hands?
Well the nails have turned to rust
But behold the Man
He is risen
And he reigns
In the hearts of the children
Rising up in his name
Where are the thorns that drew his blood?
Well, the thorns have turned to dust
But not so the love
He has given
No, it remains
In the hearts of the children
Who will love while the nations rage
credits
from While the Nations Rage (Rich Mullins),
released December 19, 2016
Wes Crawford: vocals, acoustic guitar, organ
Eric Nichelson: electric guitar
Chris Peake: bass guitar
Ben Holt: drums
Engineered and mixed by Kelly Upshaw at Mockingbird Sound in Denton, TX
Mastered by Shawn Joseph at Optimum Mastering in Bristol, UK
Modular synths sparkle amidst piano, vibes, and other organic instruments stringing together constellations of sound. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 22, 2023
