Behold the chosen tribes draw near
To Jordan’s swelling flood;
While boding dread and pallid fear
Through all their legions spread.

The waters, in defiance bold,
Lift up their waves on high,(a)
To whelm, beneath their bosom cold,
The destined prey, so nigh.

But lo! upon those gloomy banks
One noble form appears,
Foremost of all their myriad ranks,
And chides their needless fears.

Full well he knew the river’s depths,
His feet alone must tread;
Yet firm were his approaching steps,
To meet those horrors dread.

For God had told this foremost one,
This Captain of his host,
That he, through suffering, alone (b)
Could fill that chosen post.

It was for this he had been brought
To this eventful hour, (c)
That ransomed israel might be taught
The glory of His power.

This day I mean to magnify
My servants, in their sight;(d)
He shall the powers of death defy,(e)
And put their hosts to flight.

Soon as his sacrificial feet
Touch boasting Jordan’s brink,
Recoiling back, with swift retreat,(f)
Shall its proud waters shrink.(g h)

Forward, my Joshua, to the work
I’ve given thee to do;
Here shall be struck the final stroke
Of Satan’s overthrow.(i)

Bearing my law within thy heart,(j k)
Go forth to Jordan’s flood;
For their, my righteousness thou art
To magnify with blood.

There shalt thou stand, while gathering o’er
Thy head, the billows flow,
Which heaven’s opening gate shall pour,(l)
And fountains from below.

Stand, till thine Israel all have gain’d
Fair Canaan’s happy shore,(m n o)
And safe deliverance obtained
From Jordan’s dreaded pow’r.

For, while its raging billows break
Upon the Shepherd’s head,
A path secure the flock shall take
Through its now peaceful bed.(p)

When finished is the mighty work,
The final victory won,
Thee, from the waters, I will take,
And raise thee to a throne.(q)

And that the wonder of this hour
Ages to come may know,
True witnesses shalt thou prepare,(r s)
Which shall its glories show.

From where thy priestly feet stood firm
In Jordan’s raging flood,
Twelve stones choose out, that may confirm
And all their deeds record.(t u)

__________________
a Chap. 3:15, 16; b Heb. 2:10; c John 12:27; d Josh. 3:7; e Heb. 14; f Psalms 9:3; g Josh. 3:13; h John 18:6; i I Cor. 15:28; j Josh. 3:11; k Psalms 24:8; l Gen. 7:2; m Josh. 3:17; n Heb. 2:15; o Heb. 9:12; p Isaiah 12:10-11; q II Sam. 22:17; r Josh. 4:2, 3; s Acts 1:22, 39-41; t Matt. 10:1; u Luke 2:2-4

Author: Unknown

Signs of the Times
Volume 28, Number 17; September 1, 1860

Below are the songs that were made from the poem using AI. They are identified
by the genre of the music in paranthesis.