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To Egypt then, invited guests,
half-famished Israel came;
And Jacob held, by royal grant,
the fertile soil of Ham.
Th' Almighty there with such increasd
his people multiplied,
Till with their proud oppressors they
in strength and number vied.
Their vast increase th' Egyptians' hearts
with jealous anger fired,
Till they his servants to destroy
by treach'rous arts conspired.
His servant Moses then he sent,
his chosen Aaron too;
Empow'red with signs and miracles
to prove their mission true.
He called for darkness, darkness came;
nature his summons knew;
Each stream and lake, transformed to blood,
the wand'ring fishes slew.
In putrid floods, throughout the land,
the pest of frogs was bred;
From noisome fens sent up to croak
at Pharaoh's board and bed.
He gave the sign, and swarms of flies
came down in cloudy hosts,
Whilst earth's enlivened dust below
bred lice through all their coasts.
He sent them batt'ring hail for rain,
and fire for cooling dew;
He smote their vines and forest plants,
and garden's pride o'erthrew.
He spake the word, and locusts came,
with caterpillars joined;
They preyed upon the poor remains
the storm had left behind.
From trees to herbage they descend,
no verdant thing they spare;
But, like the naked fallow field,
leave all the pastures bare.
From fields to villages and towns
commissioned vengeance flew;
One fatal stroke their eldest hopes
and strength of Egypt slew.
He brought his servants forth, enriched
with Egypt's borrowed wealth;
And, what transcends all treasures else,
enriched with vig'rous health.
Egypt rejoiced, in hopes to find
her plagues with them removed;
Taught dearly now to fear worse ills
by those already proved.
Their shrouding canopy by day
a journeying cloud was spread;
A fiery pillar all the night
the desert marches led.
They longed for flesh; with ev'ning quails
he furnished ev'ry tent;
From heav'n's own granary, each morn,
the bread of angels sent.
He smote the rock, whose flinty breast
poured forth a gushing tide;
Whose flowing streams, where'er they marched,
the desert's drought supplied.
For still he did on Abr'am's faith
an ancient league reflect;
He brought his people forth with joy,
with triumph his elect.
Quite rooting out their heathen foes
from Canaan's fertile soil,
To them in cheap possession gave
the knit of others' toil.
That they his statutes might observe,
his sacred laws obey;
For benefits so vast let us
our songs of praise repay.
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marker 99
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LYRICS
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Meter:
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8 6 8 6 (C.M.)
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Writer(s):
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Trans/Adapted:
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Dates:
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1696
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Bible Refs:
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Ps 105:23-45;
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LIST OF LYRIC SOURCES
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Hymn/Song Book
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Year
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Song #
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| 1821 | # 105 |
echo ' | ';
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Hymn Writer
