William Cowper

Born:  November 15, 1731, Great Berkhampstead, Hertfordshire, England.

Died: April 25, 1800, East Dereham, Norfolk, England.

Buried:  East Dereham, Norfolk, England. Cowper’s friend and hymn writing partner John Newton conducted the funeral service.

    Cowper (pronounced “Cooper”), whose father was chaplain to King George II, went through the motions of becoming an attorney, but never practiced law. He lived near Olney, Buckinghamshire, the namesake town of the Olney Hymns, which he co-wrote with John Newton, author of Amazing Grace. Cowper also wrote poetry, including “The Negro’s Complaint,” an anti-slavery work, and the 5,000-line “The Task.”

Hymns

  1. Almighty King! Whose Wondrous Hand
  2. As Birds Their Infant Brood Protect
  3. By Whom Was David Taught
  4. Bestow, Dear Lord, upon Our Youth
  5. Billows Swell, the Winds Are High, The
  6. Breathe from the Gentle South, O Lord
  7. Dear Lord, Accept a Sinful Heart
  8. Ere God Had Built the Mountains
  9. Far from the World, O Lord, I Flee
  10. Fierce Passions Discompose the Mind
  11. Glory Gilds the Sacred Page, A
  12. God Gives His Mercies to Be Spent
  13. God Moves in a Mysterious Way
  14. God of My Life, to Thee I Call
  15. Grace, Triumphant in the Throne
  16. Gracious Lord, Our Children See
  17. Hark, My Soul, It Is the Lord!
  18. Heal Us, Emmanuel
  19. Hear What God the Lord Hath Spoken
  20. His Master Taken from His Head
  21. Holy Lord God! I Love Thy Truth
  22. Honor and Happiness Unite
  23. How Blest Thy Creature Is, O God
  24. I Was a Groveling Creature Once
  25. I Will Praise Thee Every Day
  26. Israel in Ancient Days
  27. Jesus, Where'er Thy People Meet
  28. Jesus, Whose Blood so Freely Streamed
  29. Lord, My Soul with Pleasure Springs
  30. Lord Proclaims His Grace Abroad, The
  31. Lord Receives His Highest Praise, The
  32. Lord, Who Hast Suffered All for Me
  33. Lord Will Happiness Divine, The
  34. My God! Till I Received Thy Stroke
  35. My Song Shall Bless the Lord of All
  36. My Soul is Sad and Much Dismayed
  37. Newborn Child of Gospel Grace, The
  38. No Strength of Nature Can Suffice
  39. O for a Closer Walk with God
  40. O God, Whose Favorable Eye
  41. O How I Love Thy Holy Word
  42. O Lord, My Best Desire Fulfill
  43. Of All the Gifts Thine Hand Bestows
  44. Saints Should Never be Dismayed, The
  45. Savior Hides His Face!, The
  46. Savior! What a Noble Flame, The
  47. Sin Enslaved Me Many Years
  48. Sin Has Undone Our Wretched Race
  49. Sometimes a Light Surprises
  50. There is a Fountain Filled with Blood
  51. This Is the Feast of Heav’nly Wine
  52. Thy Mansion Is the Christian’s Heart
  53. ’Tis My Happiness Below
  54. To Jesus, the Crown of My Hope
  55. To Keep the Lamp Alive
  56. To Tell the Savior All My Wants
  57. To Those Who Know the Lord I Speak
  58. Too Many, Lord, Abuse Thy Grace
  59. What Thousands Never Knew the Road!
  60. What Various Hindrances We Meet
  61. When Darkness Long Has Veiled My Mind
  62. When Hagar Found the Bottle Spent
  63. Winter Has a Joy for Me
  64. Write to Sardis, Saith the Lord
  65. Ye Sons of Earth Prepare the Plough

Translations

  1. My Lord, How Full of Sweet Content