Olney Hymns (1840)/Book 1/Hymn 15
15.
Manna.—Exod. xvi, 18.
1 Manna to Israel well supplied
The want of other bread;
While God is able to provide,
His people shall be fed.
The want of other bread;
While God is able to provide,
His people shall be fed.
2 (Thus though the corn and wine should fail,
And creature-streams be dry,
The prayer of faith will still prevail
For blessings from on high.)
And creature-streams be dry,
The prayer of faith will still prevail
For blessings from on high.)
3 Of his kind care how sweet a proof;
It suited every taste:
Who gather'd most had just enough—
Enough who gather'd least.
It suited every taste:
Who gather'd most had just enough—
Enough who gather'd least.
4 'Tis thus our gracious Lord provides
Our comforts and our cares;
His own unerring hand divides,
And gives us each our shares.
Our comforts and our cares;
His own unerring hand divides,
And gives us each our shares.
5 He knows how much the weak can bear,
And helps them when they cry;
The strongest have no strength to spare,
For such he'll strongly try.
And helps them when they cry;
The strongest have no strength to spare,
For such he'll strongly try.
6 Daily they saw the manna come
And cover all the ground;
But what they tried to keep at home
Corrupted soon was found.
And cover all the ground;
But what they tried to keep at home
Corrupted soon was found.
7 Vain their attempt to store it up,
This was to tempt the Lord:
Israel must live by faith and hope,
And not upon a hoard.
This was to tempt the Lord:
Israel must live by faith and hope,
And not upon a hoard.