Part 33 (1/2)

Psalm 78:4. 32 &c. Fourth Part.

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

1 Great G.o.d, how oft did Israel prove By turns thine anger and thy love!

There in a gla.s.s our hearts may see How fickle and how false they be.

2 How soon the faithless Jews forgot The dreadful wonders G.o.d had wrought!

Then they provoke him to his face, Nor fear his power, nor trust his grace.

3 The Lord consum'd their years in pain, And made their travels long and vain; A tedious march thro' 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 G.o.d.

5 Their prayers and vows before him rise As flattering words or solemn lies, While their rebellious tempers prove False to his covenant and his love.

6 Yet did his sovereign grace forgive The men who not 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 temptation still prevail The G.o.d of Abraham lov'd them still, And led them to his holy hill.

Psalm 80.

The church's prayer under affliction; or, The vineyard of G.o.d wasted.

1 Great Shepherd of thine Israel, Who didst between the cherubs dwell, And led the tribes, thy chosen sheep, Safe thro' the desert and the deep.

2 Thy church is in the desert now, s.h.i.+ne from on high and guide us thro'; Turn us to thee, thy love restore, We shall be sav'd, and sigh no more.

3 Great G.o.d, whom heavenly hosts obey, How long shall we lament and pray, And wait in vain thy kind return?

How long shall thy fierce anger burn?

4 Instead of wine and cheerful bread, Thy saints with their own tears are fed; Turn us to thee, thy love restore, We shall be sav'd, and sigh no more.

PAUSE I.

5 Hast thou not planted with thy hands A lovely vine in heathen lands?

Did not thy power defend it round, And heavenly dews enrich the ground?

6 How did the spreading branches shoot, And bless the nations with the fruit!

But now, dear Lord, look down and see Thy mourning vine, that lovely tree.

7 Why is its beauty thus defac'd?

Why hast thou laid her fences waste?

Strangers and foes against her join, And every beast devours the vine.

8 Return, almighty G.o.d, return, Nor let thy bleeding vineyard mourn; Turn us to thee, thy love restore, We shall be sav'd, and sigh no more.

PAUSE II.

9 Lord, when this vine in Canaan grew Thou wast its strength and glory too; Attack'd in vain by all its foes, Till the fair Branch of Promise rose;