4 Thus shall they learn in God alone
Their hope securely stands,
That they may ne’er forget his works,
But practise his commands.

Psalm 78:2.  Second Part. 
Israel’s rebellion and punishment; or, The
sins and chastisements of God’s people.

1 What a stiff rebellious house
Was Jacob’s ancient race! 
False to their own most solemn vows,
And to their Maker’s grace.

2 They broke the covenant of his love,
And did his laws despise,
Forgot the works he wrought to prove
His power before their eyes.

3 They saw the plagues on Egypt light,
From his revenging hand: 
What dreadful tokens of his might
Spread o’er the stubborn land!

4 They saw him cleave the mighty sea,
And march’d in safety thro’,
With watery walls to guard their way,
Till they had ’scap’d the foe.

5 A wondrous pillar mark’d the road,
Compos’d of shade and light;
By day it prov’d a sheltering cloud,
A leading fire by night.

6 He from the rock their thirst supply’d;
The gushing waters fell,
And ran in rivers by their side,
A constant miracle.

7 Yet they provok’d the Lord most high,
And dar’d distrust his hand;
“Can he with bread our host supply
“Amidst this desert land?”

8 The Lord with indignation heard,
And caus’d his wrath to flame
His terrors ever stand prepar’d
To vindicate his Name.

Psalm 78:3.  Third Part. 
The punishment of luxury and intemperance;
or, Chastisement and salvation.

1 When Israel sins, the Lord reproves,
And fills their hearts with dread;
Yet he forgives the men he loves,
And sends them heavenly bread.

2 He fed them with a liberal hand,
And made his treasures known;
He gave the midnight clouds command
To pour provision down.

3 The manna, like a morning shower, Lay thick around their feet; The corn of heaven, so light, so pure, As tho’ ‘twere angels’ meat.

4 But they in murmuring language said,
“Manna is all our feast;
“We loathe this light, this airy bread;
“We must have flesh to taste.”

5 “Ye shall have flesh to please your lust;”
The Lord in wrath reply’d,
And sent them quails like sand or dust,
Heap’d up from side to side.

6 He gave them all their own desire;
And greedy as they fed,
His vengeance burnt with secret fire,
And smote the rebels dead.

7 When some were slain, the rest return’d, And sought the Lord with tears; Under the rod they fear’d and mourn’d, But soon forgot their fears.

8 Oft he chastis’d and still forgave,
Till by his gracious hand
The nation he resolv’d to save,
Possess’d the promis’d land.

Psalm 78:4. 32 &c.  Fourth Part. 
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.