Book 2, Hymn 82 · John Newton · Public-domain words
When the sun, with cheerful beams
Book 2, Hymn 82 · John Newton
The words
1
Stanza 1. When the sun, with cheerful beams,Smiles upon a low’ring sky;Soon its aspect softened seems,And a rainbow meets the eye:While the sky remains serene,This bright arch is never seen.
2
Stanza 2. Thus the Lord’s supporting pow’rBrightest to his saints appears,When affliction’s threat’ning hourFills their sky with clouds and fears.He can wonders then perform,Paint a rainbow on the storm.
3
Stanza 3. All their graces doubly shineWhen their troubles press them fore;And the promises divineGive them joys unknown before:As the colors of the bow,To the cloud their brightness owe.
4
Stanza 4. Favored John a rainbow sawCircling round the throne above;Hence the saints a pledge may drawOf unchanging cov’nant love:Clouds awhile may intervene,But the bow will still be seen.
Olney Hymns (1779), Book 2, Hymn 82. John Newton. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/2-82
About these words
John Newton lived from 1725 to 1807. These historical words are public domain.
This hymn belongs to the complete three-book collection first published in 1779.
