It is just like the Lord to use difficulty to Bring Blessing to us and Glory to His Name.
Not unlike many who serve the Lord, William Cowper was afflicted from time to time with depression, yet managed to live a life that glorified God in poetry and good works.
He was a Blessing to the people of his time, and to us also.
Thanks Kit for the hymn.
Here are a few links where you can read his poetry and learn about his time, and how he lived.
http://www.puritansermons.com/poetry/cowpindx.htm
http://www.mkheritage.co.uk/cnm/htmlpages/cowperintro.html
The Journey
Dusty was the road that day,
dust and rock and winter sun
where the small young women went
large with child and tired and bent,
down the road with her husband
on the way to Bethlehem.
Others passed them by as they went,
dust and rock and winter sun,
Unknowing of the wonder there,
beneath her heart a thing so rare
going down the road with her husband
on the way to Bethlehem.
She carried an amazing thing
dust and rock and winter sun,
A mystery unfelt, unseen,
by those who passed her travelling
going down the road with her husband
on the way to Bethlehem.
She gave a yes that shook the world,
dust and rock and winter sun
yet others noticed not a thing,
how a poor girl carried the whole world's king
going down the road with her husband
on the way to Bethlehem.
Our Brother William Cowper Certainly had a Heavy Cross to Bear with his Nervous System Disorder, and his Occasional (Wrong) Feelings that he wasn't Really Born Again. I Remember Reading Somewhere that, on his Deathbed, Right as he was Departing this Life, his Face Suddenly Took on the Expression of what was Described as a 'Holy Surprise!' I Love that; he was Ushered Instantly into the Presence of Him whom his Soul Loved! Our Lord is So Wonderful, Wonderful Beyond Words!
JEHOVAH-JESUS by William Cowper
My song shall bless the LORD of all,
My praise shall climb to his abode;
Thee, Saviour, by that name I call,
The great Supreme, the mighty GOD.
Without beginning, or decline,
Object of faith, and not of sense;
Eternal ages saw him shine,
He shines eternal ages hence.
As much, when in the manger laid,
Almighty ruler of the sky;
As when the six days' works he made
Fill'd all the morning-stars with joy.
Of all the crowns JEHOVAH bears,
Salvation is his dearest claim;
That gracious sound well-pleas'd he hears,
And owns EMMANUEL for his name.
A cheerful confidence I feel,
My well-plac'd hopes with joy I see;
My bosom glows with heav'nly zeal,
To worship him who died for me.
As man, he pities my complaint,
His pow'r and truth are all divine;
He will not fail, he cannot faint,
Salvation's sure. and must be mine.
Thank you, Dear Master, for Your Love for us that Never Ends or Fades Away. You have 'Blessed us with Every Spiritual Blessing in the Heavenlies in Christ,' and we Exalt Your Lovely Name. For Your Glory, we Adore You, Lord Jesus, amen.