Trenches in the Valley

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Make this valley full of trenches

Author: Henry J. Zelley
Tune: [Make this valley full of trenches]
Published in 1 hymnal

Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 “Make this valley full of trenches,”
Thus the Lord Jehovah spake,
“Without wind or rain tomorrow,
Each of you your thirst shall slake.”
As they toiled within the desert,
Active faith their murmurs stilled;
And when morning dawned they witnessed
Every trench with water filled.

Refrain:
Praise the Lord, the Lord Jehovah!
God of Israel, God of all.
Thou art ever near Thy people,
Thou dost answer when they call.

2 Weary trav’ler o’er life's desert,
Tortured by its burning sand,
Lift your heart and eyes to heaven
For deliv’rance is at hand.
Stop, and in the barren valley
Dig the wells and trenches wide;
God will fill them with His blessing,
‘Till thy heart is satisfied. [Refrain]

3 Weary trav’ler cease thy doubting;
If thy soul is sore distressed,
Dig the trenches in the valley,
God Himself will do the rest.
Streams of love and mercy blended,
Into every well will flow,
Then, refreshed, revived and strengthened,
On to vict’ry thou shalt go. [Refrain]

Source: Uplifted Voices: a 20th century hymn book for sunday-schools and devotional meetings #130

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Author: Henry J. Zelley

Henry Jeffreys Zelley was born at Mt. Holly, NJ, on Mar. 15, 1859. Educated in the Mt. Holly public schools, at Pennington Seminary, and at Taylor University, where he earned his M. A., Ph. D., and D. D. degrees, he became a Methodist minister in 1882 and first served in the New Jersey Conference as a statistical secretary, treasurer, and trustee, becoming a promoter of the campmeeting movement. Noted for his evangelistic fervor, Zelley produced over 1500 poems, hymns, and gospel songs. One of his songs, "He Brought Me Out" with music by Henry L. Gilmour, appears in several denominational hymnals. Cyberhymnal also lists "When Israel Out of Bondage Came" or "He Rolled the Sea Away" with music by Gilmour too. Another of Zelley’s so… Go to person page >

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First Line:	Make this valley full of trenches
Title:	Trenches in the Valley
Author:	Henry J. Zelley
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	Praise the Lord, the Lord Jehovah
Copyright:	Public Domain