William Cowper (pronounced Cooper) was born in 1731. He is considered one of England’s finest poets.
His life was filled with melancholy and sometimes despair, which may have had its roots in his mother’s death when he was only six. He was hospitalized on more than one occasion for “madness”. He wrote many hymns that were full of hope instead of the despair he was so familiar with. (God Moves in a Mysterious Way; There is a Fountain Filled with Blood.)
The following hymn is especially hopeful. The encouragement that comes from singing is in the first line. The original tune is one by Hayden – Petition 76.76D. The words also fit nicely with the tune – Sally Garden. There is a modern version by Sweetwaters Music. (I am unable to find the name of the composer.) The version I recorded below is the new version.
Sometimes a light surprises the child of God who sings; the light of one who rises with gentle, healing wings.
When comforts are declining, God grants the soul again A season of clear shining, to cheer it after rain.
In holy contemplation with joy we shall pursue the theme of God’s salvation, and find it ever new.
Set free from present sorrow we cheerfully can say, let the unknown tomorrow bring with it what it may.
It can bring with it nothing but God will bear us through. Who gives the lilies clothing will clothe the people, too.
Beneath the spreading heavens no creature but is fed: the one who feeds the ravens will give the children bread
Though vine and fig tree neither their yearly fruit should bear, though all the fields should wither, nor flocks nor herds be there,
yet God, the same abiding, through praise shall tune my voice, for while in love confiding I cannot but rejoice.
For Further Study: “And he shall be as the light or the morning, like the rising of the sun, A morning without clouds; When from the sunshine, after rain, the green grass springeth after rain.” II Samuel 23:4
Sources:
The Story of the Hymns and Tunes – Theron Brown and Hezekiah Butterworth – copyright 1906 American Tract Society
Windows of His Grace 