1897. God Moves in a Mysterious Way

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 Information
First Line: God moves in a mysterious way
Title: God Moves in a Mysterious Way
Author: William Cowper (1774)
Meter: CM
Language: English
Source: Twenty-six Letters on Religious Subjects, by John Newton, 1774
Copyright: Public Domain
Notes: It is reportedly the last hymn Cowper ever wrote, with a fascinating (though unsubstantiated) story behind it. Cowper often struggled with depression and doubt. One night he decided to commit suicide by drowning himself. He called a cab and told the driver to take him to the Thames River. However, thick fog came down and prevented them from finding the river (another version of the story has the driver getting lost deliberately). After driving around lost for a while, the cabby finally stopped and let Cowper out. To Cowper's surprise, he found himself on his own doorstep: God had sent the fog to keep him from killing himself. Even in our blackest moments, God watches over us. Alternate tunes: BELMONT, William Gardiner, 1812; LONDON NEW, Psalms (Edinburgh, Scotland: 1635); MANOAH, arranged by Henry W. Greatorex, 1851; ST. ANNE, William Croft, 1708; UNION, in Select Number of Plain Tunes, by Andrew Law, 1781; attributed variously to Stephen Jenks & Andrew Gillet
Tune Information
Name: DUNDEE
Composer: Anonymous (1615)
Meter: CM
Incipit: 13451 23432 11715
Key: E♭ Major
Source: Scottish Psalter, 1615
Copyright: Public Domain



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