Hope of the World

Above:  Christ Pantocrator

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Hymnal 1982, of The Episcopal Church

Words by the Reverend Georgia Harkness (1891-1974), U.S. United Methodist theologian; she wrote the text for the Second Assembly of the World Council of Churches (1952)

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1.  Hope of the world, thou Christ of great compassion,

speak to our fearful hearts by conflict rent.

Save us, thy people, from consuming passion,

who by our own false hopes and aims are spent.

2.  Hope of the world, God’s gift from highest heaven,

bringing to hungry souls the bread of life,

still let thy Spirit unto us be given

to heal earth ‘s wounds and end her bitter strife.

3.  Hope of the world, afoot on dusty highways,

showing to wandering souls the path of light,

walk thou beside us lest the tempting byways

lure us away from thee to endless night.

4.  Hope of the world, who by thy cross didst save us

from death and dark despair, from sin and guilt,

we render back the love thy mercy gave us;

take thous our lives, and use them as thou wilt.

5.  Hope of the world, O Christ, o’er death victorious,

who by this sign didst conquer grief and pain,

we wouldst be faithful to thy gospel glorious;

thou art our Lord!  Thou dost for ever reign!