For The Poor.

When Hagar found the bottle spent,
And wept oer Ishmael,
A message from the Lord was sent
To guide her to a well.^[1]


Should not Elijahs cake and cruse^[2]
Convince us at this day,
A gracious God will not refuse
Provisions by the way?


His saints and servants shall be fed,
The promise is secure;
Bread shall be given them, he has said,
Their water shall be sure.^[3]


Repasts far richer they shall prove,
Than all earths dainties are;
Tis sweet to taste a Saviours love,
Though in the meanest fare.


To Jesus then your trouble bring,
Nor murmur at your lot;
While you are poor and he is King,
You shall not be forgot.

William Cowper

William Cowper was an English poet and hymnodist known for his contributions to English literature and the Evangelical revival of the 18th century. He suffered from periods of severe depression and mental illness, which influenced much of his work. Despite his struggles, Cowper produced notable works including 'Olney Hymns' in collaboration with John Newton and 'The Task,' which gained considerable popularity. His poetry is often characterized by its introspective, religious, and sometimes melancholic themes.

William Cowper

To Dr. Austin, Of Cecil Street, London.

William Cowper, Simple Poetry

The Philosopher and the King.

William Cowper, Simple Poetry

Elegy IV. Anno Aetates 18. To My Tutor, Thomas Young,[1] Chaplain Of The English Merchants Resident At Hamburg.

William Cowper, Simple Poetry

Ode To Apollo. On An Inkglass Almost Dried In The Sun.

William Cowper, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

Jehovah-Jireh. The Lord Will Provide. - Genesis xxii.14.

The saints should never be dismayd,
Nor sink in hopeless fear;
For when they least expect his aid,
The Saviour will appear.


This Abraham found: he raised the knife;
God saw, and said, Forbear!
Yon ram shall yield his meaner life;
Behold the victim there.


Once David seemd Sauls certain prey;
But hark! the foes at hand;^[1]
Saul turns his arms another way,
To save the invaded land.


When Jonah sunk beneath the wave,
He thought to rise no more;^[2]
But God prepared a fish to save,
And bear him to the shore.


Blest proofs of power and grace divine,
That meet us in his word!
May every deep-felt care of mine
Be trusted with the Lord.


Wait for his seasonable aid,

William Cowper

Mourning And Longing.

The Saviour hides his face!
My spirit thirsts to prove
Renewd supplies of pardoning grace,
And never-fading love.


The favourd souls who know
What glories shine in him,
Pant for his presence as the roe
Pants for the living stream!


What trifles tease me now!
They swarm like summer flies,
They cleave to everything I do,
And swim before my eyes.


How dull the Sabbath-day,
Without the Sabbaths Lord!
How toilsome then to sing and pray,
And wait upon the word!


Of all the truths I hear,
How few delight my taste!
I glean a berry here and there,
But mourn the vintage past.


Yet let me (as I ought)
Still hope to be supplied;
No pleasure else is worth a thought,
Nor shall I be ...

William Cowper

On The Death Of A Minister.

His master taken from his head,
Elisha saw him go;
And in desponding accents said,
Ah, what must Israel do?


But he forgot the Lord who lifts
The beggar to the throne;
Nor knew, that all Elijahs gifts
Will soon be made his own.


What! when a Paul has run his course,
Or when Apollos dies,
Is Israel left without resource?
And have we no supplies?


Yes, while the dear Redeemer lives
We have a boundless store,
And shall be fed with what he gives,
Who lives for evermore.

William Cowper

Welcome To The Table.

This is the feast of heavenly wine,
And God invites to sup;
The juices of the living vine
Were pressd to fill the cup.


Oh! bless the Saviour, ye that eat,
With royal dainties fed;
Not heaven affords a costlier treat,
For Jesus is the bread.


The vile, the lost, he calls to them,
Ye trembling souls, appear!
The righteous in their own esteem
Have no acceptance here.


Approach, ye poor, nor dare refuse
The banquet spread for you;
Dear Saviour, this is welcome news,
Then I may venture too.


If guilt and sin afford a plea,
And may obtain a place,
Surely the Lord will welcome me,
And I shall see his face.

William Cowper

Looking Upwards In A Storm.

God of my life, to thee I call,
Afflicted at thy feet I fall;
When the great water-floods prevail,^[1]
Leave not my trembling heart to fail!


Friend of the friendless and the faint!
Where should I lodge my deep complaint?
Where but with thee, whose open door
Invites the helpless and the poor!


Did ever mourner plead with thee,
And thou refuse that mourners plea?
Does not the word still fixd remain,
That none shall seek thy face in vain?


That were a grief I could not bear,
Didst thou not hear and answer prayer;
But a prayer-hearing, answering God,
Supports me under every load.


Fair is the lot thats cast for me;
I have an Advocate with thee;
They whom the world caresses most
Have no such p...

William Cowper

Joy And Peace In Believing.

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.


In holy contemplation,
We sweetly then pursue
The theme of Gods salvation,
And find it ever new.
Set free from present sorrow,
We cheerfully can say,
Een let the unknown to-morrow^[1]
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.


The vine nor fig-tree nei...

William Cowper