1 "How awful is thy chastening rod!" (May thine own children say) "The great, the wise, the dreadful God! "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 God! 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.]