Sunday's Hymn: William Cowper

Since I just read a short biography of William Cowper in one of the books I’ll be reviewing shortly, I thought I’d feature hymns by Cowper (pronounced Cooper) for a few Sundays.  I wrote a little bit about William Cowper in an old post on the old blog.  If you’re curious to know more (And you should be! Once you know something about his life, you’ll never look at one of his hymns in exactly the same way again.), I suggest both this mp3 lecture on Cowper’s life by Michael Haykin and this sermon by John Piper.  If you prefer to read the text of Piper’s sermon on Cowper’s life, you’ll find it at the previous link as well.  The chapter on William Cowper in the book I’m reading also comes from that same sermon.

 

The choir sang one of Cowper’s hymns in the service this morning.  It’s not one of his more well-known hymns, but since we sang it today, it’s the one I’m starting with.  We sang it to a different melody than the one you’ll hear if you click over to Cyber Hymnal. Our music was from the middle section of Jupiter, from The Planets by Gustav Holst.

 

Sometimes a Light Surprises

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.

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,
Let the unknown tomorrow bring with it what it may.

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.

Though vine nor fig tree neither their wonted fruit should bear,
Though all the field 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.

---

Other hymns, worship songs, etc. posted today:

• The Collect for the First Sunday after Easter at Magic Statistics. 
• Onward, Christian Soldiers at IMD 2.0.
• The Spirit as Teacher from The Valley of Vision at Thirsty Theologian
• Nearer My God to Thee at John Dekker’s Journal
• Awake My Soul and With the Sun at The Happy Wonderer
• The Church’s One Foundation at Seasonings of the Heart
• My Tribute at The Upward Call (This song was sung at my wedding almost 32 years ago.)
  

Have you posted a hymn this Sunday and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by emailing me at the address in the sidebar, and I’ll add your post to the list.

Update on Monday, April 16, 2007 at 10:34AM by rebecca

Sorry. Forgot one: 

• Be Thou My Vision at joythruChrist.
  

Comments

[missmellifluous]

Great hymn! Fantastic lyrics.

Cowper was a great poet too. I'm going to enjoy this series!

[jen elslager]

I enjoyed this post, and the post at your old blog you linked to about Cowper. So interesting to learn of the lives of the composers!

I also posted a wonderful old Sunday hymn: Be Thou My Vision
Blessings!

[Martin LaBar]

That's a great hymn. Not used enough, at least in my circles. Thanks.

[rebecca]

Hi Jen,

Oops. I saw that Saturday night, and then forgot it by Sunday afternoon. Sorry! See, that's why I ask people to remind me. :)

Rebecca

[rebecca]

Not used enough, at least in my circles.

I don't think it's used much at all in any circles, and it's a pity.