Olney Hymns

work by Cowper

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July 1, 2026

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Olney Hymns is a collection of religious verse published in 1779, a collaboration between the poet William Cowper and the Anglican minister John Newton. The collection includes many hymns that have become part of English heritage, such as "God Moves in a Mysterious Way" and "Oh! For a Closer Walk with God". This work reflects Cowper's deep religious convictions, which provided solace during periods of mental instability. Newton, who encouraged Cowper in his writing, also contributed hymns to the collection, including "Amazing Grace," which reflects his own spiritual journey. The hymns in Olney Hymns are characterized by their directness and focus on everyday life and faith.12

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English literature
Poets and poetry after Pope
…was William Cowper in his Olney Hymns (1779). Both are worthy successors to the richly inventive work of Isaac Watts in the first half of the century. Elsewhere, Cowper can write with buoyant humor and satiric relaxation, as when, for instance, he wryly observes from the safety of rural seclusion…
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…was William Cowper in his Olney Hymns (1779). Both are worthy successors to the richly inventive work of Isaac Watts in the first half of the century. Elsewhere, Cowper can write with buoyant humor and satiric relaxation, as when, for instance, he wryly observes from the safety of rural seclusion…
Read More