Christian Songs, Song LXXIV

When God's own Son from heav'n came down And tabernacled here below, He made his grace and mercy known, Yet stood expos'd to want and woe! Despis'd and destitute was he, He who the earth's foundations laid: Beasts found a shelter, birds a shade, He had not where to lay his head!

2 Yet man presumptuous dares complain, When sorrows come, or wants assail; Th' Eternal sov'reign they arraign, And think his tender mercies fail. But why complain, is't not enough The servant as his Lord appear? Thro' suff'ring he was perfect made, We (suff'ring too) his bliss shall share.

3 O ye of little faith look up, See, careless, fly the birds of air, Nor barns, nor store-houses have they, Yet, ev'n of those doth God take care. The very flow'rs which deck the field; And shine more bright than kings e'er shone, Tho' soon they fade, yet God them cloaths; Is man forgot then,—man alone?

4 When Israel out of Egypt came By God's strong arm, and wonders great, When hunger threaten'd, their faith fail'd, "Can God, they said, give flesh to cat?" Ev'n Moses ask'd "where shall we find "Food for the crouds which here resort?" God check'd his doubts with this reply "Say, is your Maker's hand wax'd short?"

5 Ev'n while they murmur'd he them fed!— We have been fed, and murmur'd too; For food and raiment oft repin'd, Yet we have been fed and cloth'd till now. And is his hand now waxed short? Away our doubts and fears away; The lillies grow and birds are fed,— His people are nor less than they.