Psalms, carefully suited to the Christian worship in the United States of America ‎#161

161. Backsliding and forgiveness; or, Sin punished, and saints saved

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 provok'd him to his face,
Nor fear his pow'r, nor trust his grace.

3 The Lord consum'd their years in pain,
And made their travels long and vain;
A tedious march through 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 pray'rs and vows before him rise
As flatt'ring words, or solemn lies,
While their rebellious tempers prove
False to his cov'nant and his love.

6 Yet could his sov'reign grace forgive
The men who ne'er 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 temptations still prevail:
The God of Abra'm lov'd them still,
And led them to his holy hill.

Text Information

• First Line: Great God, how oft did Israel provfe
• Title: Backsliding and forgiveness; or, Sin punished, and saints saved
• Meter: Long Metre
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1791
• Scripture:
  Psalm 78:32-72
• Notes: Now Public Domain. Fourth part

Tune Information

(No tune information)