GOD MOVES IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY

The poem “God Moves In a Mysterious Way” was written by William Cowper in 1774. Over the years, it has been set to several tunes and today you will still find this text under different melodies in different hymnals. You see, Cowper did not write the music, only the poem. And we don’t know if it was meant to be sung to a specific tune that he was familiar with. In the history of the church it was very common that a text was written at one time in history, and the tune was written at a different time (usually much later!). Take for instance “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” – Charles Wesley wrote the text in 1739 and Felix Mendelssohn wrote the tune in 1840. Only in recent decades did we start to associate a particular text with a particular tune and called it a song, but historically that’s not always been the case. As a result, many modern hymn writers use old texts and write new tunes to them (see Vikki Cook’s “Before the Throne of God Above” or Matt Merker’s “He Will Hold Me Fast”). Now please don’t go and change the tune to Amazing Grace, ha! But any public domain texts that have either been forgotten, or where there’s no “standard” melody that people associate it with, then there’s a lot of room for new music to be written!

In the fall of 2022 I took a hymn writing course with Keith Getty and Matt Merker. At that time, Matt encouraged me to write a new melody to “God Moves In a Mysterious Way,” a melody that would better depict the somber tone of the text. He had heard it sung on the ST ANNE tune (same one as “O, God, Our Help In Ages Past”), while I had only ever heard it sung on the DUNDEE tune. This is an example of a text that is in the public domain, one that is rich in poetic beauty, but is not associated with one single tune (like “Amazing Grace” is). And so, I accepted the challenge to write a new (but somber) melody to “God Moves In a Mysterious Way.”

First, I read the text from beginning to end. Second, I highlighted some key words – mysterious, wonder, storm. Then I highlighted the opposite pairs – frowning providence vs smiling face, bitter bud vs sweet flower. Yes, the text is somber at first, but there’s hope nested within. We will never fully understand the ways in which God performs his wonders here on earth, especially when we’re affected by the aftermath of the fall (i.e. sin and death). And so, to highlight God’s mysterious work in the midst of us waiting to see it unfold, I chose to repeat some of the lines in the original text.

So, instead of writing a tune to these four lines:

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

I wrote a tune to these EIGHT lines:

God moves in a mysterious way
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform
His wonders to perform
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform

(this also allowed me with more room for melodic development #nerd)

Next, time to choose the key. Definitely minor. And definitely NATURAL minor for that delicious-sounding lowered seventh (yummy). So D minor natural it is. Well, the sheet music is in D minor because that’s a good range for congregational singing. I ended up recording the official release in B minor because I have my own vocal limitations (cough cough).

To highlight the glimmer of hope nested within the text, I included a brief modulation to F major in the middle of each verse, but it is short lived (pun intended). The verse resumes its D minor natural melody towards the end, leaving the listener in a continued state of anticipation.

If YOU struggle with questions surrounding God’s work in YOUR life, this text is for you. William Cowper battled chronic depression his entire life (and that was BEFORE medication became available!). He even attempted to unalive himself. Moreover, his depression was deeply linked to his faith. From hymnary.org: “His depression was deepened by a religious bent, which often stressed the wrath of God, and at times Cowper felt that God had predestined him to damnation.” What a spiritual burden that must have been! And still, with the support of his friends, he managed to live close to the age of 70 (pretty remarkable for that time period!). In the last two decades of his life he co-wrote over sixty hymns with his pastor John Newton!

Chronic depression is still very much around today, and it affects so many aspects of our lives, from the ability to take good care of ourselves, to maintaining healthy relationships, to performing well at our jobs, to deepening our faith in God. If you struggle with depression, I hope this song will offer a sense of community, reminding you that you’re not alone. I’ve been there; I was depressed for 10 years after graduating from college. I lacked the motivation to do anything of value. I was barely going through the motions. And all I ever thought during the day was how many hours I had until I could watch my shows and go to sleep that night. I was mad at God. I was confused. Does God care about me as a person, or does He only care about the church at large? Cue emotional breakdown. But thanks be to God - there’s hope! By God’s mysterious design, by Christ’s triumphant resurrection, there’s hope for all of us! The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower!

May this song remind you that even though we live in the aftermath of the fall, being deeply affected by sin and the inevitable death, there’s hope in sight. In the new heaven and the new earth we will experience full restoration by the power of Christ’s resurrection. No more chronic depression, no more anxiety, no more emotional breakdowns. Come, Lord Jesus!

God Moves In a Mysterious Way

Words by William Cowper (1774)
Music by Raluca Bojor (2014)
© 2024 Raluca Bojor. All Rights Reserved.
CCLI song ID – 7219294