God Moves in a Mysterious Way
About the poet
William Cowper (1731-1800) William Cowper began to write poetry late in life and as means of keeping his mind from brooding over those torturing religious anxieties which more than once turned his melancholy into positive madness. His principal poem is `The Task'.
Introduction to the poem
The poem God Moves in a Mysterious Way tells us how God is beyond human perception and how weakly we understand Him. It tells us that the kindness of God tastes bitter in the beginning but has the soothing effect of nectar.
Text of the poem
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform
He plants his foot steps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm
Judge not the lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace.
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain
God his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.
Additional Resources
A record my desktop recording of the same video can be accessed from: http://youtu.be/nbS2l1s9WvA
New words in the poem
1 feeble: weak
2 grace: favour
3 frown: show anger
4 providennce: God`s care of human beings
Evaluation
Complete the lines:
Judge not the - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - – – hour.