Children of God lack nothing

Representative Text

1. Children of God lack nothing,
His promise bears them through;
Who gives the lilies clothing,
Will clothe His people too.

2. Beneath the spreading heavens,
No creature but is fed,
And He who feeds the ravens
Will give His children bread.

3. Though vine or fig tree neither
Their wonted fruit should bear;
Though all the field should wither,
Nor flocks nor herds be there,

4. Yet, God the same abiding,
His praise shall tune my voice,
For while in Him confiding,
I cannot but rejoice.

(This is the only representative text available.) • Text size: Regular | Large^ top

Author: William Cowper

William Cowper (pronounced "Cooper"; b. Berkampstead, Hertfordshire, England, 1731; d. East Dereham, Norfolk, England, 1800) is regarded as one of the best early Romantic poets. To biographers he is also known as "mad Cowper." His literary talents produced some of the finest English hymn texts, but his chronic depression accounts for the somber tone of many of those texts. Educated to become an attorney, Cowper was called to the bar in 1754 but never practiced law. In 1763 he had the opportunity to become a clerk for the House of Lords, but the dread of the required public examination triggered his tendency to depression, and he attempted suicide. His subsequent hospitalization and friendship with Morley and Mary Unwin provided emotional st… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Children of God lack nothing
Author: William Cowper
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Notes

Children of God lack nothing. This cento, slightly altered, is from W. Cowper's "Sometimes a light surprises," p. 1067, i.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)

Timeline

Instances in all hymnals

Instances (1 - 10 of 10)
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A Church hymnal #216

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A Collection of Hymns #11

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Hymns for Church and Home #13

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Offices of Worship and Hymns #12

Worship in the School Room #d19

Page Scan

Worship in the School Room #388

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