Scripture Verse

Lay hold upon the hope set before us, which…we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast. Hebrews 6:18–19

Introduction

Words & Mu­sic: Hor­ace H. Haw­ley, in Hymns of Zi­on, by Ab­el C. Tho­mas (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia, 1839) (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Haw­ley (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

There is a hope, a glo­ri­ous hope,
More pre­cious and more bright
Than all the joy­less mock­ery
The world es­teems de­light.

Refrain

That hope, that hope, that pre­cious hope,
Of ev­er­last­ing rest…
With the bright beam­ing star,
And the voice from afar,
All point to the land of the blest.

There is a star, a love­ly star,
That lights the dark­est gloom,
And sheds a peace­ful ra­di­ance ov­er
The pros­pects of the tomb.

Refrain

There is a voice, a cheer­ing voice,
That lifts the soul above,
Dispels the pain­ful, anx­ious doubt,
And whis­pers, God is love.

Refrain

That voice, aloud from Cal­va­ry’s height,
Proclaims the soul for­giv­en;
That star is revelation’s light;
That hope, the hope of Heav’n.

Refrain