“Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” Num. 13:30. BACK came the spies with weary feet
And fearful hearts, their tidings telling;
“A land of precious things and sweet,
A goodly land to make our dwelling;
But strongly walled its cities rise,
Fierce giants there we did discover;
We seemed as nothing in their eyes.
Oh, no; we dare not venture over!” Then boldly spoke the faithful two
Who held God's truth with hearts undaunted.
“The land,” they said, “is fair to view,
Our heritage by God appointed.
He led us through the wilderness;
His strength our feebleness shall cover;
Let us at once the land possess,
We are well able to go over.” But all the timid, trembling host
Listened, dismayed and unbelieving;
Backward along the dreary coast
They turned, their faithful leader grieving,
And in the wilderness they fell;
Their graves the desert caverns cover.
The mournful fate its shadows tell
Of those who dared not venture over. We linger in earth's wilderness,
Dismayed and faint, a feeble nation;
We fail the promise to possess,
The peace of God, a full salvation.
With trembling hearts, with tearful eyes,
Upon its verge we mournful hover,
And say, “What glory lights those skies!
But, ah! we fear to venture over.” “It is a goodly land,” we say,
“A land all precious gifts bestowing;
But, oh, the giants in our way,
And Jordan's waters wide o'erflowing!”
Yet when our heavenly Joshua leads,
The raging floods a path uncover;
The gracious hand that guards and feeds
Shall safely guide his people over. Look back along the desert way,
Then lift to God our joyful chorus;
The hand that keeps from day to day
Bids the walled cities fall before us.
He saves us to the uttermost;
His righteousness our guilt shall cover;
Press onward, then, ye ransomed hosts,
Till all his people shall pass over.