Testo How Awful Is Thy Chast´ning Rod!

How awful is thy chast'ning rod! May thy own children say: The great, the wise, the dreadful God! How holy is his way! 2. I'll meditate his works of old, The King that reigns above; I'll hear his ancient wonders told, And learn to trust his love. 3. Long did the house of Joseph lie With Egypt's yoke oppressed; Long he delayed to hear their cry, Or gave his people rest. 4. The sons of good old Jacob seemed Abandoned to their foes; But his almighty arm redeemed The nation that he chose. 5. Isr'el, his people and his sheep, Must follow where he calls; He bade them venture through the deep, And made the waves their walls. 6. The waters saw thee, mighty God! The waters saw thee come; Backward they fled, and frighted stood, To make thine armies room. 7. Strange was thy journey through the sea Thy footsteps, Lord, unknown; Terrors attend the wondrous way That brings thy mercies down. 8. Thy voice, with terror in the sound, Through clouds and darkness broke; All heav'n in lightning shone around, And earth with thunder shook. 9. Thine arrows through the skies were hurled; How glorious is the Lord! Surprise and trembling seized the world, And his own saints adored. 10. He gave them water from the rock, And safe, by Moses' hand, Through a dry desert led his flock Home to the promised land.