When Israel heard the fiery law

The golden calf by John Newton


 * When Israel heard the fiery law,
 * From Sinai's top proclaimed;
 * Their hearts seemed full of holy awe,
 * Their stubborn spirits tamed.


 * Yet, as forgetting all they knew,
 * Ere forty days were past;
 * With blazing Sinai still in view,
 * A molten calf they cast.


 * Yea, Aaron, God's anointed priest,
 * Who on the mount had been
 * He durst prepare the idol-beast,
 * And lead them on to sin.


 * LORD, what is man! and what are we,
 * To recompense thee thus!
 * In their offence our own we see,
 * Their story points at us.


 * From Sinai we have heard thee speak,
 * And from mount Calv'ry too;
 * And yet to idols oft we seek,
 * While thou art in our view.


 * Some golden calf, or golden dream,
 * Some fancied creature-good,
 * Presumes to share the heart with him,
 * Who bought the whole with blood.


 * LORD, save us from our golden calves,
 * Our sin with grief we own;
 * We would no more be thine by halves,
 * But live to thee alone.