Hymn 6: “The Saints Should Never Be Dismayed”

Another week has come and gone, so we are again at Friday. Today’s hymn is “The Saints Should Never Be Dismayed” by William Cowper. You can listen below or download on the side.

The Hymn

This hymn focuses on God’s provision in Genesis 22, with the heading “the LORD will provide.” In particular, Cowper begins by focusing on Abraham’s test of faith when God asks him to sacrifice his son Issac. When, in faith, Abraham is about to offer Issac as a burnt offering, God provides a ram in Issac’s place. Verse 14 then says this, “So Abraham called the name of that place, ‘The LORD will provide’; as it is said to this day, ‘On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.’”

Cowper, in the proceeding verses follows two further accounts of God’s provision, the first from 1 Samuel 23:27, when David was spared from Saul, and the second from Jonah 1:17, when God saved Jonah through the fish.

It stood out to me that Cowper arranged the hymn like an argument. The first verse sets up his argument, while the 2-4 verses provide examples of how the statement of the first verse is true. The final two verses then act as a conclusion and call to action.

Melody, Arrangement and Production

There’s not much I need to say here other than “gritty”. “Sloppy” may also be an effective descriptor. Since I felt that Cowper was making an argument with his hymn using seemingly unrelated examples of God’s provision, I thought that gave me some freedom with the style of the song, as well as with the melody. My arrangement, is probably not suitable for a congregation, as each line overlaps.

I almost feel as though I needed to get this arrangement out of my system.

Continue past the break for the text.

The Text

The saints should never be dismayed,
Nor sink in hopeless fear;
For when they least expect his aid,
The Savior will appear.

This Abraham found, he raised the knife,
GOD saw and said, “Forbear;”
Yon ram shall yield his meaner life,
Behold the victim there.

Once David seemed Saul’s certain prey,
But hark! The foe’s at hand;
Saul turns his arms another way,
To save th’ invaded land.

When Jonah sunk beneath the wave
He thought to rise no more;
But God prepared a fish to save,
And bear him to the shore.

Blest proofs of pow’r and grace divine,
That meet us in his word!
May every deep-felt care of min
Be trusted with the Lord.

Wait for his seasonable aid,
And though it tarry wait:
The promise may be long-delayed,
But cannot come too late.

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