“God Moves in a Mysterious Way” (originally titled “Light Shining Out of Darkness”) was written by William Cowper, who is more famously known for writing the hymn “There is a Fountain.” Cowper’s story is an amazing one, but full of turmoil and hardship.

Have you ever heard someone say “Well, God works in mysterious ways”? This phrase is often said humorously and a bit sarcastically after something unexpected has happened. Many use it when they’re unable to explain an event or disaster.

But a lot of people don’t realize that this phrase originated with a man whose life was fraught with tragedy. He, too, didn’t fully understand God’s ways, and, at times, even questioned the meaning of his own existence.

When you think of the hymn writers of old, you might call to mind men and women who were steadfast in their faith and trust in God. However, William Cowper’s story shows us that God can and does work in the hearts of even the most broken to bring glory to Himself.

William was born to John and Ann Cowper in 1731. While his parents had seven children in all, he and his brother, John, were the only ones to survive past infancy. William’s mother died giving birth to John when William was just six years old, the first of many tragedies in William’s life.

As a child, William was deeply troubled by the death of his mother, and over fifty years later he wrote a poem entitled “On the Receipt of My Mother’s Picture.” William was also bullied throughout his childhood by older children at school.

After graduating from Westminster School, William fell in love with his cousin, Theodora. However, her father forbade the marriage, separating the two. This sent William into his first bout with depression and mental illness.

At the age of thirty-two, William was offered a clerk job in the House of Lords. But as the entrance examination drew closer and closer, William began to experience worse depression and anxiety than he’d ever had before. After three different suicide attempts, he was placed in an asylum for the insane.

This asylum is where he first met his Savior, and he subsequently began to make a recovery, being released only eighteen months later. He went to live with his friends, the Unwins, who soon after moved to Olney. This is where he met John Newton, and the two became good friends.

The period of relative peace that William felt at Olney led him to write several hymns, which Newton convinced him to include in the hymnbook “Olney Hymns.” Two of these hymns were “There is a Fountain Filled With Blood,” and “God Moves in a Mysterious Way.”

In 1773, William suffered another attack of mental illness. Though he began to improve for a while, the death of a close family friend plunged him into depression once more. This time, William never fully recovered. He ended up contracting edema in the spring of 1800 and passed away shortly thereafter.

The lyrics to “God Moves in a Mysterious Way” echo the questioning of William’s soul throughout his life… he knew that he couldn’t possibly hope to understand the ways of God. However, it also seems to indicate that, through all of the doubts and fears, he recognized that God could be trusted.

It appears fitting that he originally entitled this work “Light Shining Out of Darkness.” Though much of William’s life was filled with darkness, depression, and tragedy, the light of God’s faithfulness and goodness shines out to the world through his testimony.

You can find the tune to this beautiful hymn by clicking here, and you can read the full lyrics below:

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

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 every 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.

Comment below your Hymn of the Month suggestion!