MY HOPE IS IN THE LORD

          "We put our hope in the LORD; he is our protector and our help. We are  glad because of him; we trust in his holy name. May your constant love be with us, LORD, as we put our hope in you." Psalm 33:20-22.
          This hymn is one of my favorites because of the clear and biblical explanation of the work of salvation that it provides.  Trace the truths presented through the Scriptures and you will see what a fine declaration of the gospel of grace is given.
           The author, Norman Clayton (1903-1992) was born in Brooklyn, New York, the ninth of ten children. He was converted at the age of six in the South Brooklyn Gospel Church, where his mother had been a foundation member. He was church organist by the age of 12, a role he kept up the rest of his life.Clayton's profession was in the building industry, but he also created his own publishing house, Gospel Songs, which was later absorbed into the Rodeheaver Company.  In 1942 he was working with Jack Wyrtzen's Word of Life organization, providing music for both the radio broadcasts and crusade meetings.
          Clayton said his usual practice was to write the music first before the words, and that he felt it was vitally important that every song he wrote be biblically based.  In order to create songs worthy of His Lord, Clayton made it his practice to memorise scripture, so his songs would have a strong Biblical basis.
          The opening verse makes it clear that our only hope is the Lord who gave His life for our salvation.  The chorus continues this theme proclaiming that for me He died and for me He lives.  What a powerful truth.
           The second verse continues the theme, sharing that the saving work of Christ is not just a hope, it's our only hope.  Verse three concerns the present intercessory work of Christ, as our great High Priest in heaven. When the work of redemption was accomplished, Christ ascended on high, and is seated at the right hand of the Father (Heb. 1:3). His presence there eternally proclaims that our debt has been paid (Rom. 8:33-34).
          The final verse is my favorite.  This is a work of grace, God's unearned and unmerited favor, given "freely." "By grace you have been saved through faith" (Eph. 2:8). Grace renders any human effort unnecessary and totally irrelevant.All we can do is believe and receive this gift and hope. 
          All we can do is to concentrate on these words as you sing them in humility and thankfulness.

                                                       1.    My hope is in the Lord 

                                                          Who gave Himself for me,

And paid the price of 

all my sin at Calvary.

For me He died, For me He lives,

And everlasting life and 

light He freely gives.

 

2.     No merit of my own 

His anger to suppress.

My only hope is found 

in Jesus' righteousness.

For me He died, For me He lives,

And everlasting life and 

light He freely gives.

 

3.     And now for me He stands 

Before the Father's throne.

He shows His wounded hands 

and names me as His own.

For me He died, For me He lives,

And everlasting life and 

light He freely gives.

 

4.     His grace has planned it all, 

'Tis mine but to believe,

And recognize His work of love 

and Christ receive.

For me He died, For me He lives,

And everlasting life an light He freely gives.

 

Listen to it here.  HOPE