1.

O Lord, with Your strong arm Israel’s people You did save;
No longer they in Egypt in bondage had to slave.
They to the Red Sea came and crossed safely on dry ground;
Egyptians who pursued them met judgment and were drowned.
(Ex. 14)

2.

The Israelites were saved, but were not in Canaan yet,
And therefore to the blest Promised Land their course they set.
They soon arrived at Elim, where many palm trees grew;
The wells and springs they found in that place refreshed them too.
(Ex. 15:27)

3.

They still were not in Canaan, although it was so blest,
So onward t’ward that glorious land they still progressed.
The wilderness of Sin is where flesh and manna rained,
But this was not the place that the Lord for them ordained.
(Ex. 16)

4.

God gave His laws at Sinai; they saw His glory there.
He then said to press on to the Promised Land so fair.
From Paran spies were sent, and to Canaan they did go.
They saw the land was good—milk and honey there did flow.
(Ex. 19-33:1 | Num. 13)

5.

The Red Sea they’d crossed over with ease, but then did find
Not all who had left Egypt were one in heart and mind.
The spies said that the land was so good, but said as well,
“The foes are great and mighty that there in Canaan dwell.”
(Num. 13:27-31)

6.

Six hundred thousand warriors lost faith, desired to flee.
They wanted to go back into Egypt’s slavery.
But Joshua and Caleb with faith in God stood fast.
Their purpose was to follow their Lord until the last.
(Num. 1:45 & 46 | Num. 14:1-8)

7.

“Although the foes are fierce and their numbers are untold,
Like bread we’ll surely take them; be therefore strong and bold!”
’Tis here the path divided, though all were saved before.
The multitudes drew back, while the few pressed on the more.
(Num. 14:9, 19-24, 29-30 | 1 Cor. 10:5)

8.

When Moses led them out, then the Red Sea they went through.
And likewise Joshua, Caleb through Jordan led them too.
They did not stop in Gilgal, but conquered Jericho.
To Ai they went on in God’s name and crushed the foe.

9.

Makkedah then was leveled and Libnah was as well,
By those with faith in vict’ry who let the Lord compel.
And king by king they conquered. The fight of faith they fought—
Possessed the land of Eden, and thereby vict’ry wrought.
(Jos. 10:28-43 | 1 Tim. 6:12 | 2 Pet. 3:11)

10.

When over thirty kings were defeated in their wake,
The true and rightful victors their portion there did take.
Enjoying fruits aplenty in vineyard and in field,
When they God’s cov’nant kept, then His blessing was revealed.

11.

Just as in days of old, it’s the very same today.
Six, seven hundred thousand in doubt reject the way.
Though they were saved from Egypt, they’ll never Canaan see.
They’ve faith in God’s forgiveness, but not true victory.
(1 Cor. 10:1-11 | Heb. 3:18-19 | Rom. 4:5 | 1 Joh. 2:6, 29)

12.

In Joshua and Caleb a diff’rent Spirit reigned.
Today there are but few who’re by faith in God constrained.
Their flesh is on the cross, and they triumph every place.
God’s fullness grows within them; they speak with pow’r and grace.
(Num. 14:24 | 2 Tim. 2:2 | Rev. 17:14 | Gal. 2:20 | 1 Tim. 4:12-15)

Written by Elias Aslaksen (published in 1932)Composed by Even SkogsrudText and melody © Stiftelsen Skjulte Skatters ForlagNorway ⋅ C