1 Great God, how oft did Israel prove By turns thine anger and thy love! There in a glass our hearts may see How fickle and how false they be.
2 How soon the faithless Jews forgot The dreadful wonders God had wrought! Then they provoke him to his face, Nor fear his power, nor trust his grace.
3 The Lord consum'd their years in pain, And made their travels long and vain; A tedious march thro' unknown ways Wore out their strength and spent their days.
4 Oft when they saw their brethren slain, They mourn'd and sought the Lord again; Call'd him the Rock of their abode, Their high Redeemer and their God.
5 Their prayers and vows before him rise As flattering words or solemn lies, While their rebellious tempers prove False to his covenant and his love.
6 Yet did his sovereign grace forgive The men who not deserv'd to live; His anger oft away he turn'd, Or else with gentle flame it burn'd.
7 He saw their flesh was weak and frail, He saw temptation still prevail The God of Abraham lov'd them still, And led them to his holy hill.