One of =
England’s famous hymnists and most popular poets of his time was =
William Cowper (pronounced “koo-per”), 1731-1800. He =
was the forerunners of Romantic Poetry and recognized by Samuel =
Taylor Coleridge as "the best modern =
poet".
After being =
institutionalized for insanity, Cowper found refuge in a fervent =
evangelical Christianity. Though born again by grace alone, he continued =
to suffer doubt and feared he would still end up in hell. His =
close friend John Newton (who wrote the hymn "Amazing =
Grace”) strengthened Cowper’s confidence in God. =
Cowper is best =
remembered for his series of Olney Hymns. His poem "Light =
Shining out of Darkness" gave our language the phrase: "God =
moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform." Here is a =
lesser-known poem that I love . . .
Hark, =
my soul! it is the Lord:
‘Tis thy Saviour, hear His =
word;
Jesus speaks, and speaks to =
thee:
"Say, poor sinner, lovest thou =
me?
"I deliver’d thee when bound,
And when bleeding, =
heal’d thy wound;
Sought thee wandering, set thee right,
Turn’d =
thy darkness into light..
"Can a woman’s =
tender care
Cease towards the child she bare?
Yes, =
she may forgetful be,
Yet will =
I remember thee.
"Mine is an =
unchanging love,
Higher than the heights above;
Deeper than =
the depths beneath,
Free and faithful, strong as =
death.
"Thou shalt see my glory soon,
When =
the work of grace is done;
Partner of my throne shalt be: =
–
Say, poor sinner, lovest thou me?"
Lord, it is my chief =
complaint,
That my love is weak and faint;
Yet I love =
thee and adore:
Oh, for grace to love thee =
more!
~~
Dr Bob Griffin =
[email protected] =
www.grif.net =
"Jesus =
Knows Me, This I =
Love!"