William Cowper (pronounced Cooper), the English poet and lawyer, did not have an easy life.  He fought bouts of insanity most of his life, including a stay in an asylum.  His brother was instrumental in his conversion to following Christ.  The friendship of the Reverend John Newton (Amazing Grace), and their collaborative effort on the hymnal Olney Hymns buoyed him. Often, questions are asked as to why God acts in certain ways or allows certain events/catastrophes to occur in our lives.  Such would be the case when one looks at Cowper's life.  From his trials, however, sprang worship to God and hymns such as this one, God Moves in a Mysterious Way.  We see a similar thought when we read of the prophet Jeremiah at the potter's house in Jeremiah 18.  The potter makes the pot as he wishes.  We may not understand what God as the potter of our lives is doing in our lives, but "...God is his own interpreter,/and he will make it plain." Article taken from Living Stories of Famous Hymns by Ernest K. Emurian. Copyright © 1955 by Baker Book House Company. Used by permission of Baker Book House Company.