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The words of this song were written by William Cowper who lived in England and wrote these words sometime in the latter half of the 18th century. This man, given to frequent bouts of deep depression, wrote some of the most beautifully profound song lyrics that we have in our hymnals. Having an increasingly melancholy temperament through life, he attempted suicide more than once, had several attacks of madness and was admitted to an asylum; nonetheless, he was a genius known to possess a gentle sense of humor. He seems to have been a shy man who lived a good bit of his life in fear and was often consumed with the awareness of his sin.

Perhaps with this in mind, our rendition of this poem might not seem so odd! I have not read a commentary on this particular poem, but I would find it hard to believe that Cowper was not thinking in part of Job chapter 28, when Job is asking where one finds wisdom. He begins by painting a picture in verses 1-6 of men mining for gold and silver. I have always loved this imagery. It is a powerful picture of our lives and the work of the Holy Spirit. Some of the sounds and loops that Mannie created for this piece are based on this passage.

I came up with the music when my family and I were living in Oxford, England in the Fall of 1997. I came upon a tiny Oxford Hymnal (which is always in my guitar case anymore) in a used bookshop there and I found this song in it. The original melody didn’t do anything for me, but the words sure did. I came upon the guitar parts and melody shortly afterwards and drove my wife batty by playing it over and over and over! I played it just as much in the studio trying to get the chorus parts right.

This is in some ways my favorite piece on the album because the words and Mannie’s production are so incredible. It is both so earthy and so otherworldly, so ominous and so encouraging. Woven into this piece are several genres and the instruments from many different nations, and yet they fit together like they came from a single heart. I guess they did.

I recommend you spend some time soaking up the lyrics and Job 28. Be encouraged. No matter how bleak your situation might seem, God promises you a hope and a future. I needed these words desperately when I found them in 1997 because I had just lost my dearly loved father to cancer, a job I loved, and a good friend. In the end, however, I came to realize that God cannot be judged by feeble sense; for though the bud may have a bitter taste, sweet will be the flower.

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

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and they shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind the veil of providence
Is found his 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 is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.

To download the song sheet, including chords, in pdf format, click here.
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