Psalms, carefully suited to the Christian worship in the United States of America ‎#157

157. Comfort derived from ancient providence; or, Israel delivered from Egypt, and brought to Canaan

1 "How awful is thy chast'ning rod?"
(May thy own children say;)
"The great, the wise, the dreadful God!
"How holy is his way!

2 I'll meditate his works of old,
Who reigns in heav'n above,
I'll hear his ancient wonders told,
And learn to trust his love.

3 He saw 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 pious Jacob seem'd
Abandon'd to their foes;
But his Almighty arm redeem'd
The nation whom he chose.

5 From slavish chains he sets them free,
They follow where he calls;
He bade them venture through the sea,
And made the waves their walls.

6 The waters saw thee, mighty God,
The waters saw thee come;
Backward they fled, and frighted stood,
To make thine armies room.

7 Strange was thy journey through the sea,
Thy footsteps, Lord, unknown;
Terrors attend the wondrous way
That brings thy mercies down.

[8 Thy voice with terror in the sound
Through clouds and darkness broke;
All heav'n in lightening shone around,
And earth with thunder shook.

9 Thine arrows through the skies were hurl'd;
How glorious is the Lord!
Surprize 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,
Through a dry desert led his flock
To Canaan's promis'd land.]

Text Information

• First Line: "How awful is thy chast'ning rod?"
• Title: Comfort derived from ancient providence; or, Israel delivered from Egypt, and brought to Canaan
• Meter: Common Metre
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1791
• Scripture:
  Psalm 77
• Notes: Second part

Tune Information

(No tune information)