Astiterunt reges terrae

General information

7th of the Responsories for Holy Saturday.
Source: Vulgate, Psalm 2. These lines from Psalm 2 are also quoted verbatim in the New Testament at Acts 4:25-26. Note that the sequence of the lines in the musical text as quoted here is different from the biblical order.
The English translation based on the King James version; “vain thing” is plural in the Latin text.

Settings by composers

• Anonymous Gregorian chant
• Carlo Gesualdo SSATTB
• Annibale Zoilo SATB

Original text and translations

Latin text Astiterunt reges terrae, et principes convenerunt in unum, adversus Dominum et adversus Christum eius. Quare fremuerunt gentes, et populi meditati sunt inania? Adversus Dominum et adversus Christum eius. Italian translation Sono insorti i re della terra, e i principi si sono aggregati contro il Signore e contro il Suo Cristo. Perché sono arrabbiati così furiosamente, i pagani? Contro il Signore e contro il Suo Cristo.

English translation Translation supplied by Paul Pascal, Professor Emeritus of Classics, University of Washington. The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed. Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? Against the Lord, and against his anointed.