How blest is man, O God

How blest is man, O God

Author: William Cowper
Published in 10 hymnals

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: How blest is man, O God
Author: William Cowper
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 10 of 10)
Page Scan

A Collection of Psalms and Hymns, for Social and Private Worship #207

Page Scan

Christian Hymns #185

Congregational Singing Book #d31

Page Scan

Hymns for Public Worship #98

Page Scan

Hymns for the Church of Christ (3rd thousand) #563

Page Scan

Hymns for the Church of Christ. (6th thousand) #563

Psalms and Hymns, for Social and Private Worship #d197

Page Scan

The New Hymn Book, Designed for Universalist Societies #359

Page Scan

The New Hymn Book, Designed for Universalist Societies #359

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us