Joy and Peace in Believing

Joy and Peace in Believing

William Cowper

Sometimes a light surprises
The Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord who rises
With healing on His wings;
When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining,
To cheer it after rain.
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 to-morrow
Bring with it what it may!
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.
Though vine nor fig tree neither
Their wonted fruit shall 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.

Verse breaks and indentation are preserved. Wrapped lines have a hanging indent. Width adapts to your screen.

Public domain text via the PoetryDB open archive.

BRING THIS POEM TO LIFE

Commission a cinematic poem

Laurence Fuller brings verse, performance and moving images together. Commission a cinematic interpretation of Joy and Peace in Believing by William Cowper, or a poem of your choosing, for your collection.

Open the full commission form →

POETIX STREAM · LAURENCE FULLER

Poetry made visible

Discover Laurence Fuller’s cinematic artworks ~ where poetry, performance and painting meet.

Cinematic Poetry by Laurence FullerExplore all

Kaleidoscope I ~ Green
SOHO: The Return ~ Abandoned Museum
A Labyrinth of Dreams
The Fortune ~ Act I: The Harpoon
Destiny
ReliX ~ Banished II
Kaleidoscope V ~ The Conversation
Trials of Destiny II
Kaleidoscope VI ~ Sky
1616 ~ Night Watch: The Delft Riots
1616 ~ Shakespeare's Last Day
Commission your own cinematic poem ↗