Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, OLNEY HYMNS: 49. JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING, by WILLIAM COWPER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

OLNEY HYMNS: 49. JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Sometimes a light surprises
Last Line: I cannot but rejoice.
Variant Title(s): In Him Confiding
Subject(s): Faith; Belief; Creed


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,
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.





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