The Valley of Elim

When Israel's hosts were marching across the burning sand

Author: Johnson Oatman
Tune: [When Israel's hosts were marching across the burning sand]
Published in 3 hymnals

Representative Text

1 When Israel's hosts were marching across the burning sand,
They reach'd a spot call'd Elim in that wild desert land,
Cool water found for thirsty, and palm trees waving tall,
Sweet pastures for the cattle and needed rest for all.

Chorus:
In the valley of Elim there is water,
And palm trees waving in the sun,
We'll sit down beneath their cooling shadow,
And rest when our day's work is done,
And rest when our day's work is done.

2 They rested there a few days, the cloud moved on ahead,
They bade good-by to Elim, and follow'd where it led,
So 'tis with us in this life like pilgrims here we roam,
And pitch our tents at evening, a days march nearer home. [Chorus]

3 We have our family circle, death enters at the door,
And takes away our lov'd ones, to that blest Elim shore;
We're going on to meet them, no weary march of sand,
Will ever tire the pilgrims, to happy Elim land. [Chorus]

4 We're on our way to heaven, that Elim of the blest,
Where we shall dwell forever, and find eternal rest,
I there shall see my Saviour, who died to save my soul,
I'll never leave that Elim, while endless ages roll. [Chorus]

Source: Light in the Valley: a new work of great merit for the Sunday school, revivals, Christian Endeavor, Epworth League, young people's society, and all forward movement along the line of battle... #136

Author: Johnson Oatman

Johnson Oatman, Jr., son of Johnson and Rachel Ann Oatman, was born near Medford, N. J., April 21, 1856. His father was an excellent singer, and it always delighted the son to sit by his side and hear him sing the songs of the church. Outside of the usual time spent in the public schools, Mr. Oatman received his education at Herbert's Academy, Princetown, N. J., and the New Jersey Collegiate Institute, Bordentown, N. J. At the age of nineteen he joined the M.E. Church, and a few years later he was granted a license to preach the Gospel, and still later he was regularly ordained by Bishop Merrill. However, Mr. Oatman only serves as a local preacher. For many years he was engaged with his father in the mercantile business at Lumberton… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: When Israel's hosts were marching across the burning sand
Title: The Valley of Elim
Author: Johnson Oatman
Language: English
Refrain First Line: In the valley of Elim there is water
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 3 of 3)
Page Scan

Fairer than Day (Enlarged Edition) #116

Page Scan

Heaven's Echo #156

TextPage Scan

Light in the Valley #136

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