I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.
I did know thee in the wilderness - i:e., did acknowledge thee as mine, and so took care of thee (Psalms 144:3; Amos 3:2). As I knew thee as mine, so thou shouldest know no God but me" (Hosea 13:4).
In the land of great drought - (Deuteronomy 8:15).