Tuesday, January 23, 2007

The Lord rises with healing in His wings

Sometimes a light surprises

Words: William Cowper, 1779
Tune: Light


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 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!

Selah.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Another website I found attributes this song to John Newton. See here: http://www.puritansermons.com/poetry/newt_p08.htm

What do you think? I don't know!
Thanks

Anonymous said...

This is apparently attributed to both Cowper and Newton, which is not surprising in that they authored some songs together.

This is perhaps one they authored together -- in both of their collections -- and correctly attributed to both [in lyrics].

It is most often associated with Cowper in the hymnals, however.

thanks a lot for your comment! :-)