Dr. Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David ‎#167

167. How awful is thy chast'ning rod!

1 'How awful is thy chast'ning rod!'
[May thy 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 Isr'el, his people and his sheep,
Must follow where he calls:
He bids them venture thro' the deep,
And makes 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 wond'rous way
That brings thy mercies down.

8 [Thy voice, with terror in the sound,
Thro' clouds and darkness broke;
All heav'n in lightning shone around,
And earth with thunder shook.

9 Thine arrows through 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.]

Text Information

• First Line: How awful is thy chast'ning rod!
• Meter: C. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1790
• Scripture:
  Psalm 77
• Notes: Part 2

Tune Information

(No tune information)