The punishment of luxury and intemperance. <br /> <br />When Isr'el sins, the Lord reproves <br />And fills their hearts with dread; <br />Yet he forgives the men he loves, <br />And sends them heav'nly bread. <br /> <br />He fed them with a lib'ral hand, <br />And made his treasures known; <br />He gave the midnight clouds command <br />To pour provision down. <br /> <br />The manna, like a morning shower, <br />Lay thick around their feet <br />The corn of heav'n, so light, so pure, <br />As though 'twere angels' meat. <br /> <br />But they in murm'ring language said, <br />"Manna is all our feast; <br />We loathe this light, this airy bread; <br />We must have flesh to taste." <br /> <br />"Ye shall have flesh to please your lust," <br />The Lord in wrath replied, <br />And sent them quails like sand or dust, <br />Heaped up from side to side. <br /> <br />He gave them all their own desire, <br />And greedy as they fed, <br />His vengeance burnt with secret fire, <br />And smote the rebels dead. <br /> <br />When some were slain, the rest returned <br />And sought the Lord with tears; <br />Under the rod they feared and mourned, <br />But soon forgot their fears. <br /> <br />Oft he chastised and still forgave, <br />Till, by his gracious hand, <br />The nation he resolved to save <br />Possessed the promised land.<br /><br />Isaac Watts<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/psalm-78-part-3/
