23 To Egypt then, invited guests, half-famish'd Israel came; And Jacob, held by royal grant, the fertile soil of Ham. 24 Th' Almighty there with such increase his people multiply'd, Till with their proud oppressors they in strength and number vied. 25 Their vast increase th' Egyptians' hearts Till they his servants to destroy 26 His servant Moses then he sent, 27 Empower'd with signs and miracles to prove their mission true. 28 He call'd for darkness, darkness came, nature his summons knew ; 29 Each stream and lake, transform'd to blood, 30 In putrid floods, throughout the land, 31 He gave the sign, and swarms of flies 33 He smote their vines, and forest plants, 34 He spake the word and locusts came, and caterpillars join'd; They prey'd upon the poor remains 35 From trees to herbage they descend, 36 From fields to villages and towns, 37 He brought his servants forth, enrich'd with Egypt's borrow'd wealth; 6 But ah! can we expect such grace, Of parents vile the viler race; Who their misdeeds have acted o'er, Once more to their deliv'rance came; 9 To right and left, at his command, O'erwhelm'd proud Pharaoh, host and all; To own God's truth, and praise his love. PART II. 13 But soon these wonders they forgot, Did him with fresh temptations press. With all their impious train, became A prey to heaven's devouring flame. * 19 Near Horeb's mount a calf they made, And to the molten image pray'd; 20 Adoring what their hands did frame, They chang'd their glory to their shame. 21 Their God and Saviour they forgot, And all his works in Egypt wrought; 22 His signs in Ham's astonish'd coast, And where proud Pharaoh's troops were lost. 23 Thus urg'd, his vengeful hand he rear'd, But Moses in the breach appear'd; The saint did for the rebels pray, And turn'd heaven's kindled wrath away. 24 Yet they his pleasant land despis'd, Nor his repeated promise priz'd, 25 Nor did the Almighty's voice obey, 27 Or else to be by heathens' hands O'erthrown and scatter'd through the lands. 28 Yet, unreclaim'd, this stubborn race 29 Thus they persisted to provoke Which them to fatal snares betray'd. No blood her idols reconcile, PART IV. 39 Nor did these savage cruelties The harden'd reprobates suffice; For after their heart's lust they went, God's wrath against his people drew, Their list of tyrants still increas'd, But freed, they did his wrath provoke, Renew'd their sins, and he their yoke. 44 Nor yet implacable he prov'd, Nor heard their wretched cries unmov'd; 45 But did to mind his promise bring, And mercy's inexhausted spring. 46 Compassion too he did impart E'en to their foes' obdurate heart; And pity for their suff'rings bred In those who them to bondage led. 47. Still save us, Lord, and Israel's bands Together bring from heathen lands: So to thy name our thanks we'll raise, And ever triumph in thy praise. 48 Let Israel's God be ever bless'd, His name eternally confess'd; Let all his saints, with full accord, Sing loud Amens---Praise ye the Lord. PSALM CVII. 1 O God your grateful voices raise, who does your daily Patron prove; And let your never-ceasing praise attend on his eternal love. 2, 3 Let those give thanks, whom he from bands of proud oppressing foes releas'd; And brought them back from distant lands, from north and south, and west and east. 4, 5 Through lonely desert ways they went, nor could a peopled city find; Till quite with thirst and hunger spent, their fainting souls within them pin'd. 6 Then soon to God's indulgent ear, did they their mournful cry address; Who graciously vouchsaf'd to hear, and freed them from their deep distress. |