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. 2 How soon the faithless Jews forgot The dreadful wonders God 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 God. 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 God 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 God wasted.