Scripture Verse

How oft did they provoke Him in the wilderness, and grieve Him in the desert! Psalm 78:40

Introduction

portrait
Benjamin C. Unseld
1843–1923

Words: Is­aac Watts, The Psalms of Da­vid 1719, alt. Is­ra­el’s re­bel­lion and pu­nish­ment; or, the sins and chas­tise­ment of God’s peo­ple.

Music: An­cy­ra Ben­ja­min C. Un­seld, 1901 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Isaac Watts (1674–1748)

Lyrics

O what a stiff rebellious house
Was Jacob’s ancient race!
False to their own most solemn vows,
And to their maker’s grace.
They broke the covenant of His love,
And did His laws despise;
Forgot the works He wrought to prove
His power before their eyes.

They saw the plagues on Egypt light
From His revenging hand;
What dreadful tokens of His might
Spread o’er the stubborn land!
They saw Him cleave the mighty sea,
And marched in safety through,
With watery walls to guard their way,
Till they escaped the foe.

A wondrous pillar marked the road,
Composed of shade and light;
By day it proved a sheltering cloud,
A leading fire by night.
He from the rock their thirst supplied;
The gushing waters fell,
And ran in rivers by their side,
A constant miracle.

Yet they provoked the Lord most high,
And dared distrust His hand:
Can He with bread our host supply
Amidst this desert land?

The Lord with indignation heard,
And caused His wrath to flame;
His terrors ever stand prepared
To vindicate His name.