Sometimes a light surprises
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Sometimes a light surprises The Christian while he sings; It is the Lord who rises With healing in His wings; When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again A season of clear shining, To cheer it after rain. |
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In holy contemplation We sweetly then pursue The theme of God’s salvation, And find it ever new; Set free from present sorrow, We cheerfully can say— E’en let the unknown morrow Bring with it what it may. |
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It can bring with it nothing, But He will bear us through; Who gives the lilies clothing, Will clothe His people too: Beneath the spreading heavens No creature but is fed; And He, who feeds the ravens, Will give His children bread. |
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Though vine nor fig tree neither Their wonted fruit shall bear; Though all the fields should wither Nor flocks nor herds be there; Yet God the same abiding, His praise shall tune my voice, For, while in Him confiding, I cannot but rejoice. |
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Jos, Plateau /Nigeria, Nigeria
So powerful. Love the song. Lord let Your praise tune my voice
Makurdi, Nigeria
A soul lifting hymn! Almost always put it on replay each time I’m feeling down, and I get reassured of God’s ever faithful promises.
Montreal, Canada
I love this hymn so much. It comforts me whenever I'm at my lowest and gives me hope. Powerful words by all standards.
Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana
Great song from a great life, inspired by a GREAT GOD.
Yes, "When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining,
To cheer it after rain".
Storrs, Connecticut, United States
William Cowper’s life was full of personal sadness, sorrowful events which followed one after another. His mother died when he was six after giving birth to his only surviving sibling, John. Five others had died while he was only a little boy.
His father sent him away to boarding school where he was bullied by older boys. He said, “I know the buckle. ” Later at Westminster he excelled in sports and graduated. He moved near his uncle Robert and his family where he often visited on the weekends. He fell in love with Theodora his cousin but her father disapproved because of their close kinship. Neither one ever married.
Even though he finished law, he hardly practiced it. His father got him an interview at the House of Lords but William became terrified and had fits of madness. He tried to commit suicide three times by poison, drowning, and the rope but failed. He came under the care of Dr. Nathaniel Cotton in an asylum and after months of being there, he became a Christian and was able to be released.
Under the care of of Mr. and Mrs. Unwin he thrived and moved in with them but Mr. Unwin died in a horse accident and depression set in again.
It was at Olney where he met John Newton. The ex-slave ship trafficker now a Christian, and they soon became friends. He and Mary Unwin moved nearby and he was again well. Together Newton and William composed the Olney hymns—Amazing Grace (Newton) and There is a Fountain Filled with Blood (Cowper), among the 280 in the collection. He also wrote poetry which made him famous, “John Gilpin” and “The Task”— he praises God for being the greatest gift to men. A series of misfortunes followed: his father, his brother, and Mr. Unwin died. He wrote the “The Castaways” which illustrates his fears and apprehensions. William died in April 1800 of the dropsy.
He is however said to be one of the greatest English writers of the 18 century along with Pope and Wordsworth. Not only that, the most famous hymn writer along with Newton of his time. In one of his poems he writes:
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform:
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
It is said that he added the fifth stanza to Amazing Grace.
Fct Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
Amazing, Awesome and Superfluous! To ALMIGHTY GOD Be All The Glory, Honour and Praise! Hallelujah! Shalom.
United Kingdom
Wow! What a deep hymn. And what a blessing and encouragement.
Oyigbo, Rivers State, Nigeria
God bless you. This is one of my favourite songs..
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Strong words of encouragement
Lagos, Nigeria
Waow!!!! What a hymn. Can be sung with so many tunes and all are splendid. This hymn is truly special. Rich in meaning and can lift a hopeless soul. The story behind the hymn is quite touching. Our God is awesome.