(from the Olney hymns)
Sometimes a light surprises
The Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord who rises
With healing on 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,
E'en let the unknown to-morrow
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 shall 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.
--William Cowper [pronounced "Cooper"], 1779; part of Olney
hymns, written alongside his friend, John Newton, author of
"Amazing Grace"
*Malchi 4:2-- the Sun of Righteousness [Christ] will rise with
healing in His wings. This idea is also found in a verse of "Hark
the Herald Angels Sing"
**Matthew 6 & Luke 12-- Jesus told His followers that God
clothes the grasses in beautiful lilies that outshine wealthy King
Solomon's best clothing. He feeds the birds, specifically ravens,
though they don't work and plan as the farmer does. Jesus tells His
followers that His Father will certainly take care of them, also, and
that they shouldn't worry.
***Habakkuk 3:17-19, a paraphrase. If all else goes badly, rejoice.
This is not idle, wishful thinking, nor pie in the sky optimism.
Cowper suffered from crippling, pitch black depression at a time
before there were psychiatric medications.
(Habakkuk is one of my favorite books of the Bible.)
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