Dr. Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David ‎#170

170. When Isr'el sins the Lord reproves

1 When Isr'el sins, the Lord reproves,
And fills their hearts with dread;
Yet he forgives the men he loves,
And sends them heav'nly bread.

2 He fed them with a lib'ral hand,
And made his treasures known:
He gave the midnight clouds command
To pour provision down.

3 The manna, like a morning show'r,
Lay thick around their feet;
The corn of heav'n, so light, so pure,
As tho' 'twere angels meat.

4 But they in murm'ring 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 lust,'
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 resolved to save
Possess'd the promis'd land.

Text Information

• First Line: When Isr'el sins the Lord reproves
• Meter: C. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1790
• Scripture:
  Psalm 78
• Notes: Part 3

Tune Information

(No tune information)