4 My overwhelming sorrows grew Till I could speak no more; Then I within myself withdrew, And call"d thy judgments o"er.
5 I call"d back years and ancient times, When I beheld thy face; My spirit search"d for secret crimes That might withhold thy grace.
6 I call"d thy mercies to my mind Which I enjoy"d before; And will the Lord no more be kind?
His face appear no more?
7 Will he for ever cast me off?
His promise ever fail?
Has he forgot his tender love?
Shall anger still prevail?
8 But I forbid this hopeless thought, This dark despairing frame, Rememb"ring what thy hand hath wrought, Thy hand is still the same.
9 I"ll think again of all thy ways, And talk thy wonders o"er; Thy wonders of recovering grace, When flesh could hope no more.
10 Grace dwells with justice on the throne; And men that love thy word Have in thy sanctuary known The counsels of the Lord.
Psalm 77:2. Second Part.
Comfort derived from ancient providences; or, Israel delivered from Egypt, and brought to Canaan.
1 "How awful is thy chastening rod!"
(May thine own children say) "The great, the wise, the dreadful G.o.d!
"How holy is his way!"
2 I"ll meditate his works of old; The King that reigns above; I"ll hear his ancient wonders told, And learn to trust his love.
3 Long did the house of Joseph lie With Egypt"s yoke opprest: Long he delay"d to hear their cry, Nor gave his people rest.
4 The sons of good old Jacob seem"d Abandon"d to their foes; But his almighty arm redeem"d The nation that he chose.
5 Israel, his people, and his sheep, Must follow where he calls; He bid them venture thro" the deep, And made the waves their walls.
6 The waters saw thee, mighty G.o.d!
The waters saw thee come; Backward they fled, and frighted stood, To make thine armies room.
7 Strange was thy journey thro" the sea, Thy footsteps, Lord, unknown, Terrors attend the wondrous way That brings thy mercies down.
8 [Thy voice with terror in the sound Thro" clouds and darkness broke; All heaven in lightning shone around, And earth with thunder shook.
9 Thine arrows thro" the skies were hurl"d; How glorious is the Lord!
Surprise and trembling seiz"d the world, And his own saints ador"d.
10 He gave them water from the rock; And safe by Moses" hand Thro" a dry desert led his flock Home to the promis"d land.]
Psalm 78:1. First Part.
Providence of G.o.d recorded; or, Pious education and instruction of children.
1 Let children hear the mighty deeds, Which G.o.d perform"d of old, Which in our younger years we saw, And which our fathers told.
2 He bids us make his glories known, His works of power and grace; And we"ll convey his wonders down Thro" every rising race.
3 Our lips shall tell them to our Sons, And they again to theirs, That generations yet unborn May teach them to their heirs.
4 Thus shall they learn in G.o.d alone Their hope securely stands, That they may ne"er forget his works, But practise his commands.
Psalm 78:2. Second Part.
Israel"s rebellion and punishment; or, The sins and chastis.e.m.e.nts of G.o.d"s people.
1 What a stiff rebellious house Was Jacob"s ancient race!
False to their own most solemn vows, And to their Maker"s grace.
2 They broke the covenant of his love, And did his laws despise, Forgot the works he wrought to prove His power before their eyes.
3 They saw the plagues on Egypt light, From his revenging hand: What dreadful tokens of his might Spread o"er the stubborn land!
4 They saw him cleave the mighty sea, And march"d in safety thro", With watery walls to guard their way, Till they had "scap"d the foe.
5 A wondrous pillar mark"d the road, Compos"d of shade and light; By day it prov"d a sheltering cloud, A leading fire by night.
6 He from the rock their thirst supply"d; The gushing waters fell, And ran in rivers by their side, A constant miracle.
7 Yet they provok"d the Lord most high, And dar"d distrust his hand; "Can he with bread our host supply "Amidst this desert land?"
8 The Lord with indignation heard, And caus"d his wrath to flame His terrors ever stand prepar"d To vindicate his Name.
Psalm 78:3. Third Part.
The punishment of luxury and intemperance; or, Chastis.e.m.e.nt and salvation.
1 When Israel sins, the Lord reproves, And fills their hearts with dread; Yet he forgives the men he loves, And sends them heavenly bread.
2 He fed them with a liberal hand, And made his treasures known; He gave the midnight clouds command To pour provision down.
3 The manna, like a morning shower, Lay thick around their feet; The corn of heaven, so light, so pure, As tho" "twere angels" meat.
4 But they in murmuring language said, "Manna is all our feast; "We loathe this light, this airy bread; "We must have flesh to taste."
5 "Ye shall have flesh to please your l.u.s.t;"
The Lord in wrath reply"d, And sent them quails like sand or dust, Heap"d up from side to side.
6 He gave them all their own desire; And greedy as they fed, His vengeance burnt with secret fire, And smote the rebels dead.
7 When some were slain, the rest return"d, And sought the Lord with tears; Under the rod they fear"d and mourn"d, But soon forgot their fears.
8 Oft he chastis"d and still forgave, Till by his gracious hand The nation he resolv"d to save, Possess"d the promis"d land.