In holy contemplation we sweetly now pursue

Top Text Author Text Info Tune Timeline Arrangements Page Scans Instances

In holy contemplation we sweetly now pursue

Author: William Cowper
Published in 20 hymnals

Piano/Organ
	Two Festive Hymn Settings

Choral
	PALM SUNDAY PROCESSIONAL

Instrumental
	Festival Hymns for Organ, Brass, and Tim…

Representative Text

1 In holy contemplation
We sweetly now pursue
The theme of God's salvation,
And find it ever new.
Set free from present sorrow,
We cheerfully can say,
Let the unknown tomorrow
Bring with it what it may.

2 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.

3 Though vine nor fig tree neither
Their wonted fruit should bear,
Though all the field should wither,
Nor flocks nor herds be there,
God still the same abiding,
His praise shall tune my voice;
For while in Him confiding,
I cannot but rejoice.

Amen.

Source: The Hymnal and Order of Service #179

All representative texts • Compare texts ^ 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 >

^ top

First Line:	In holy contemplation we sweetly now pursue
Author:	William Cowper
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain

Matthew 6:24-34
(hymns)

^ top

Tune

ST. THEODULPH (Teschner)

Now often named ST. THEODULPH because of its association with this text, the tune is also known, especially in organ literature, as VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN. It was composed by Melchior Teschner (b. Fraustadt [now Wschowa, Poland], Silesia, 1584; d. Oberpritschen, near Fraustadt, 1635) for "Valet wi…

Go to tune page >

JESU, MAGISTER BONE

BENTLEY (Hullah)

All tunes published with 'In holy contemplation we sweetly now pursue'^ top

Timeline

^ top

Page Scans

View Page

The Hymnal and Order of Service (1926), p.153

^ top

Instances

Instances (1 - 20 of 20)

Piano/Organ Two Festive Hymn Settings Festival Hymns for Organ, Brass, and Timpani—Set 7 COLLECTED PIANO/ORGAN WORKS More Piano/Organ...
Choral PALM SUNDAY PROCESSIONAL More Choral...
Instrumental All Glory, Laud, and Honor All Glory, Laud, and Honor - (Valet will ich dir geben) More Instrumental...
Handbells The Best of Ring and Rejoice! Hosanna! Hosanna! More Handbells...

User Links

User Links

Discover

Collections

Connect

Search

Collections

Discover

In holy contemplation we sweetly now pursue

Contents