Sometimes a light surprises

351 Petition. 7. 6. 7. 6. D.

1 Sometimes a light surprises
   the Christian while he sings;
   it 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 the unknown morrow
   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 but is fed;
   and He who feeds the ravens
   will give His children bread."

4 Though vine nor fig tree neither
   their wonted fruit should bear,
   though all the field 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.
                         William Cowper
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

A closer walk

228 Naomi. C. M.

1 O for a closer walk with God,
   a calm and heav'nly frame,
   a light to shine upon the road
   that leads me to the Lamb!

2 Where is the blessedness I knew
   when first I sought the Lord?
   Where is the soul refreshing view
   of Jesus and His Word?

3 What peaceful hours I then enjoyed!
   How sweet their mem'ry still!
   But they have left an aching void
   the world can never fill.

4 Return, O holy Dove, return,
   sweet messenger of rest;
   I hate the sins that made Thee mourn,
   and drove Thee from my breast.

5 The dearest idol I have known,
   whate'er that idol be,
   help me to tear it from Thy throne
   and worship only Thee.

6 So shall my walk be close with God,
   calm and serene my frame;
   so purer light shall mark the road
   that leads me to the Lamb.
                         William Cowper
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

There is a fountain

140 Cleansing Fountain. C. M. D.

1 There is a fountain filled with blood
   Drawn from Immanuel's veins;
   And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
   Lose all their guilty stains:
   Lose all their guilty stains,
   Lose all their guilty stains;
   And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
   Lose all their guilty stains.

2 The dying thief rejoiced to see
   That fountain in his day;
   And there may I, though vile as he,
   Wash all my sins away:
   Wash all my sins away,
   Wash all my sins away;
   And there may I, though vile as he,
   Wash all my sins away.

3 Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
   Shall never lose its pow'r,
   Till all the ransomed Church of God
   Be saved, to sin no more:
   Be saved, to sin no more,
   Be saved, to sin no more;
   Till all the ransomed Church of God
   Be saved to sin no more.

4 E'er since by faith I saw the stream
   Thy flowing wounds supply,
   Redeeming love has been my theme,
   And shall be till I die:
   And shall be till I die,
   And shall be till I die;
   Redeeming love has been my theme,
   And shall be till I die.

5 When this poor lisping, stamm'ring tongue
   Lies silent in the grave,
   Then in a nobler, sweeter song
   I'll sing Thy pow'r to save:
   I'll sing Thy pow'r to save,
   I'll sing Thy pow'r to save;
   Then in a nobler, sweeter song
   I'll sing Thy pow'r to save.
                         Willaim Cowper
                        The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

God moves in a mysterious way (hymn)

68 Dundee (French). C. M.

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

2 Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
   the clouds you so much dread
   are big with mercy and shall break
   in blessings on your head.

3 Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
   but trust Him for His grace;
   behind a frowning providence
   He hides a smiling face.

4 His purposes will ripen fast,
   unfolding ev'ry hour;
   the bud may have a bitter taste,
   but sweet will be the flow'r.

5 Blind unbelief is sure to err,
   and scan His work in vain;
   God is His own interpreter,
   and He will make it plain.
                         William Cowper
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

<idle musing>
Hymnary.org inserts a verse after verse 1:

Deep in unfathomable mines
   of never-failing skill;
   He treasures up his bright designs,
   and works His sov'reign will.

</idle musing>