“Light Shining Out of Darkness,” written by William Cowper, was first published in 1774 by John Newton, a Calvinist pastor, in Twenty-Six Letters on Religious Subjects; to Which Are Added Hymns. Later, the hymn was again collected in Olney Hymns in 1779, a text featuring hymns by both Cowper and Newton (“Light Shining Out of Darkness.” Representative Poetry Online, 1998.). In addition to being a hymn, the text could be labeled as a lyric poem, since it focuses on the thoughts and emotions of the speaker. Cowper’s text came during the Neoclassical Period of literature, and during what is known as the Enlightenment era. Though produced while advancements in science, technology, and understanding were rapidly progressing, Cowper advocates for steadfast faith in the Lord over seeking ultimate knowledge. Throughout his life, Cowper experienced various forms of suffering, from a broken heart and mental illness to religious melancholy. These struggles are captured within Cowper’s hymn as he mixes contrasting images of good and bad, bitter and sweet, to show that though God’s ways may be shrouded in obscurity, all that is needed is patience and trust that all will be revealed in the end.

Poet Biography

Born in Great Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire, in England on November 26, 1731, Cowper’s upbringing was in a religious household. His father was an Anglican minister, Reverend John Cowper. Cowper experienced grief and loss at an early age when his mother, Anne Donne Cowper (a descendent of Henry III and John Donne), died when Cowper was only six years old. After his mother’s death, Cowper’s father sent him away to boarding school. At Dr. Pitt’s boarding school, Cowper’s suffering and pain continued as he was relentlessly bullied. These early life experiences were responsible for the various mental health issues Cowper dealt with throughout his life.

Following his trying experience at boarding school, Cowper attended Westminster School in 1742, an institution known for its Whig inclinations (referring to the political party that supported reform and Parliamentary power). It was also here that Cowper met and socialized with a number of future authors. Cowper’s educational career moved in the direction of law, and in 1748 he began his legal studies at the Middle Temple. From 1750 through 1753, Cowper worked with Mr. Chapman, a lawyer, before entering the Inner Temple in 1757.

Between 1752 and 1755, Cowper had a romantic relationship with his cousin Theodora Cowper. Prior to the relationship’s conclusion, Cowper’s writing mainly consisted of reproducing the epistolary works of others, including Abraham Cowley and John Milton. When Theodora and Cowper’s romantic involvement ceased due to Theodora’s father’s disapproval, Cowper used the event to inspire a series of poems written to an individual named “Delia.” The collection was only eventually published in 1825.

When his father died in 1756, Cowper was left with little inheritance. To assist Cowper financially, his family procured him a position in the House of Lords as a clerk. After a “rival faction” pushed back against the naming of Cowper to this post, Cowper faced taking a daunting test just to prove he was fit for the position. The prospect of having to undergo this test resurrected some of the mental health challenges Cowper had experienced in the early years of his childhood. After attempting suicide, he was admitted to Nathaniel Cotton’s Collegium Insanorum at St. Alban’s.

While in the asylum, Cowper returned to his religious roots and converted to Evangelicalism, “troubled by religious doubts and fears and persistently dreaming of his predestined damnation” (“William Cowper.” Britannica). Cowper moved to Huntingdon once released from his 18-month stay at the asylum. He resided with Reverend Morley Unwin and the pastor’s wife, Mary Unwin, both Calvinists. Morley Unwin died in 1767 from a horseback riding accident, leading Mary and Cowper to move with the Unwin’s daughter to the town of Olney.

In Olney, Cowper became acquainted with the Calvinist Reverend John Newton. Just as the Unwins had encouraged Cowper’s Evangelical leanings, so did Newton. Cowper’s published works continued to increase while in Olney as well. In 1767, Cowper wrote a memoir and released it only for private circulation. Between 1771 and 1772, Cowper and Newton also wrote the Olney Hymns, which include 68 hymns written by Cowper himself, such as “Oh for a closer Walk with God” and “God moves in a mysterious way” (or “Light Shining Out of Darkness”). The collection of hymns was published initially in 1779. The hymns are “distinguished by a mastery of symbolism (the cross, the fountain, the lamb, the worm and the thorn, the divine majesty) and the recognized stages of the ebb and flow of faith” and feature “a dark underside” (“William Cowper.” Poetry Foundation.).

Another major life event, this time his engagement to Mary Unwin, sent Cowper into another bout of madness. During this particular period, Cowper’s mental health issues were so pressing that he believed he had lost God’s favor. Though melancholic, Cowper’s time following his ordeal was rather prolific. In 1782, he published Poems by William Cowper, of the Inner Temple, Esq. The volume consisted of weighty discourses and satires imbued with evangelical morality. One of Cowper’s most well-known works, The Task, was published in 1785. The long, mock-epic was inspired when his acquaintance, Lady Austen, prompted him to write a poem about his sofa. The poem melds broad, deep religious issues with descriptions of the rural and domestic. Cowper moved with Mary Unwin in 1795 to live in East Dereham, and a year later Mary passed away. Cowper’s grief at the loss of Mary persisted until his own passing from dropsy on April 25, 1800.

Poem Text

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 sov‘reign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,

The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy, and shall break

In blessings on your head.

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 ev’ry hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,

But sweet will be the flow’r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,

And scan his work in vain;

God is his own interpreter,

And he will make it plain.

Cowper, William. “Light Shining Out of Darkness.” 1774, Bartleby.com.

Summary

Cowper opens his hymn by acknowledging the mysterious ways in which God works, and how oftentimes God’s intentions are left hidden from the human eye. Yet, Cowper assures his audience that while God’s plans may initially seem dark and ominous, their nature is truly benevolent and merciful. After the first two stanzas discussing the incomprehensible nature of God’s cosmic design, Cowper moves on to a direct address of his audience, God’s faithful servants. He encourages them to have faith and courage in the Lord, rather than fear what they cannot see. Instead of trying to read meaning into everything ordained or created by God to try and put them all together like a divine puzzle, Cowper encourages patience. In the end, Cowper assures his audience, God will make everything clear. All purposes will be made evident and aligned with the outcomes God intended all along. It is in vain to try to interpret the Lord’s actions and creations. The only true interpreter of God is God Himself.