1 When Israel, by th' Almighty led,

(enriched by their oppressors' spoil,)

From Egypt marched, and Jacob's seed

from bondage in a foreign soil;

2 Jehovah, for his residence,

chose out imperial Judah's tent,

His mansion royal, and from thence

through Israel's camp his orders sent.

3 The distant sea with terror saw,

and from th' Almighty's presence fled;

Old Jordan's streams, surprised with awe,

retreated to their fountain's head.

4 The taller mountains skipped like rams,

when danger near the fold they hear;

The hills skipped after them like lambs,

affrighted by their leader's fear.

5 O sea, what made your tide withdraw,

and naked leave your oozy bed?

Why, Jordan, against nature's law,

recoil'dst thou to thy fountain's head?

6 Why, mountains, did ye skip like rams,

when danger does approach the fold?

Why after you the hills, like lambs,

when they their leader s flight behold?

7 Earth, tremble on; well may'st thou fear

thy Lord and Maker's face to see;

When Jacob's awful God draws near,

'tis time for earth and seas to rice.

8 To flee from God, who nature's law

confirms and cancels at his will;

Who springs from flinty rocks can draw,

and thirsty vales with water fill.