1 When Israel sinn'd, the Lord reprov'd,
And fill'd their hearts with dread;
Yet he forgave the men he lov'd,
And sent them heav'nly bread.

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

3 The manna, like a morning show'r
Lay thick around their feet;
The food of heav'n, so light, so pure,
As though 'twere angels meat.

4 But they, in murm'ring language said,
"Is manna 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 on every 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.