“God Moves in a Mysterious Way,” by William Cowper, 1731-1800

William Cowper contributed songs to a hymnal complied by John Newton in 1779.  Read his poetic words that became the songs “God Moves in a Mysterious Way” and “O! for a closer walk with God.” Then WATCH the moving video of “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood” (below) and read more about William Cowper.

God Moves in a Mysterious Way
by William Cowper, 1774

1. God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
    He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

2. Deep in unfathomable mines,
Of never-failing skill
    He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.

3. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
    Are big with mercy and shall break,
In blessings on your head.

4. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense.
But trust Him for His grace;
    Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.

5. His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
    The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

6. Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain;
    God is His own Interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

Text: John 13:7  Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

O! for a closer walk with God
by William Cowper, 1772

There is a fountain filled with blood,
drawn from Immanuel’s veins.
And sinners plunged beneath that flood,
lose all their guilty stains.

About William Cowper (1731-1800)

William Cowper was an English poet and hymn writer born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England in 1731. His father was a rector of an Anglican church, and his aunt was an English poet. In November 1737, less than three weeks before William’s sixth birthday, his mother died giving birth to his brother John. Seven children were born to John and his wife, but only William and his brother lived past infancy.

In young adulthood, Cowper began to suffer emotional and mental distress.  First being diagnosed as melancholy in 1763, he experienced depression and insanity.  He tried three times to commit suicide, after which he was sent to an asylum to recover.  There he wrote the poem “Hatred and Vengeance, My Eternal Portions.”  

After his recovery, Cowper stayed with a retired clergyman and his family. He also made friends with John Newton, the former captain of slave ships who had been transformed by Jesus and had devoted his life to the gospel. Newton asked Cowper for his contribution to a hymnal he was compiling.  The hymnal published in 1779 contains some of Cowper’s most beautiful hymns, including “Praise for the Fountain” (known as “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood”) and “Light Shining out of Darkness” (known as “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”).