Within the maddening maze of things

Within the maddening maze of things

Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
Published in 12 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1. Within the maddening maze of things,
When tossed by storm and flood,
To one fixed trust my spirit clings;
I know that God is good!

2. No offering of my own I have,
Nor works my faith to prove;
I can but give the gifts He gave,
And plead His love for love.

3. I know not where His islands lift
Their fronded palms in air;
I only know I cannot drift
Beyond His love and care.

4. And so beside the silent sea
I wait the muffled oar;
No harm from Him can come to me
On ocean or on shore.

5. I know not what the future hath
Of marvel or surprise,
Assured alone that life and death
His mercy underlies.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #7527

Author: John Greenleaf Whittier

Whittier, John Greenleaf, the American Quaker poet, was born at Haverhill, Massachusetts, Dec. 17, 1807. He began life as a farm-boy and shoemaker, and subsequently became a successful journalist, editor and poet. In 1828 he became editor of the American Manufacturer (Boston), in 1830 of the New England Review, and an 1836 (on becoming Secretary to the American Anti-Slavery Society) of the Pennsylvania Freeman. He was also for some time, beginning with 1847, the corresponding editor of the National Era. In 1840 he removed to Amesbury, Massachusetts, where most of his later works have been written. At the present time [1890] he lives alternately at Amesbury and Boston. His first poetical piece was printed in the Newburyport Free Press in 182… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Within the maddening maze of things
Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

SONG 67

SONG 67 was published as a setting for Psalm 1 in Edmund Prys's Welsh Llyfr y Psalmau (1621). Erik Routley (PHH 31) suggests that the tune should be ascribed to Prys. Orlando Gibbons (PHH 167) supplied a new bass line for the melody when it was published with a number of his own tunes in George With…

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MANOAH (Greatorex)

MANOAH was first published in Henry W. Greatorex's Collection of Psalm and Hymn Tunes (1851). This anthology (later editions had alternate titles) contained one of the best tune collections of its era and included thirty-seven original compositions and arrangements by compiler Greatorex as well as m…

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CAMPMEETING


Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #7527
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The Cyber Hymnal #7527

Include 11 pre-1979 instances
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