OUT OF EGYPT.

To Egypt's king, who ruled beside

The reedy river's flow,

Came God's command, “Release, O king,

And let my people go.”

The king's proud heart grew hard apace;

He marked the suppliant throng,

And said, “Nay, they must here abide;

The weak must serve the strong.”

Straightway the Lord stretched forth his hand,

And every stream ran blood;

The river swept towards the sea —

A full ensanguined flood.

The haughty king beheld the land,

By plagues afflicted sore,

But, as God's wonders multiplied,

Hardened his heart the more;

Until the angel of the Lord

Came on the wings of Night,

And smote first-born of man and beast,

In his destructive flight.

Throughout all Egypt, not a house

Was spared this crowning woe.

Then broke the tyrant's stubborn will;

He bade the people go.

They gathered up their flocks and herds,

Rejoicing to be free;

And, going forth, a mighty host,

Encamped beside the sea.

Then Pharaoh's heart repented him;

He called a mighty force,

And swiftly followed on their track,

With chariot and with horse.

Then Israel's host were sore afraid;

But God was on their side,

And, lo! for them a way is cleft,

The Red-sea waves divide.

At God's command the restless waves

Obey the prophet's rod;

And, through the middle of the sea,

The people marched dry-shod.

But, when the spoilers, following close,

Would hinder Israel's flight,

The waters to their course return,

The parted waves unite,

And Pharaoh's host is swept away,

The chariots and the horse;

And not a man is left alive

Of all that mighty force.

So in these days God looks from heaven,

And marks his servants’ woe;

Hear ye his voice: “Break every yoke,

And let my people go!”

For them the Red-sea waves divide,

The streams with crimson flow;

Therefore we mourn for our first-born;—

Then let the people go.

They are not weak whom God befriends,

He makes their cause His own;

And they who fight against God's might

Shall surely be o'erthrown.