Part I- Pious Education and Instruction of Children

Let children hear the mighty deeds
which God performed of old,
which in our younger years we saw
and which our fathers told.

He bids us make his glories known,
the works of pow’r and grace,
that we convey his wonders down
through ev’ry rising race.

Our lips shall tell them to our sons,
and they again to theirs,
and generations yet unborn
must teach them to their heirs.

Thus shall they learn, in God alone
their hope securely stands,
that they may ne’er forget his works,
but practice his commands.

Part II- Israel’s rebellion and punishment.

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

They broke the cov’nant of his love,
And did his laws despise;
Forgot the works he wrought to prove
His pow’r before their eyes.

They saw the plagues on Egypt light
From his avenging hand;
What dreadful tokens of his might
Spread o’er the stubborn land.

They saw him cleave the mighty sea,
And march’d in safety through,
With wat’ry walls to guard their way,
‘Till they had ’scap’d the foe.

A wond’rous pillar marked the road,
Compos’d of shade and light;
By day it proved a shelt’ring cloud,
A leading fire by night.

He from the rock their thirst suppli’d;
The gushing waters flow’d,
And ran in rivers by their side,
Alone the desert road.

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?”

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