Hymns and Devotions for Daily Worship ‎#352

352. Sometimes a Light Surprises

1. Sometimes a light surprises
Believers while they sing;
Is 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.

2. 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 th'unknown to tomorrow
Bring with it what it may.

3. 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 is not fed,
And he who feeds the ravens
Will give his children bread.

4. The vine, nor fig tree neither,
Their wonted fruit should bear,
Tho' all the fields 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.

Text Information

• First Line: Sometimes a light surprises
• Title: Sometimes a Light Surprises
• Author: William Cowper
• Meter: 7.6.7.6 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2024
• Scripture:
  Malachi 4:2
• Topic: Ordinary Time: Week 28
• Notes: Text by English poet William Cowper, from Olney Hymns (1779), alt.

Tune Information

• Name: BENTLEY
• Composer: John Pyke Hullah (1866)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6 D
• Incipit: 32346 65
• Key: C Major
• Notes: Tune BENTLEY by John Pyke Hullah, organist of the Charterouse and professor at King’s College, London, from Psalms and Hymns for Divine Worship (1866).