Fortune/Walker/Rogers/Isaacs - Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good Lyrics
Lyrics
Lord, I hope this day is good
I'm feelin' empty and misunderstood
I should be thankful Lord, I know I should
But Lord, I hope this day is good
Lord, have you forgotten me?
I've been prayin' to you faithfully
I'm not sayin' I'm a righteous man
But Lord, I hope you understand
I don't need fortune and I don't need fame
Send down the thunder Lord, send down the rain
But when you're plannin' just how it will be
Plan a good day for me
Lord, I hope this day is good
I'm feelin' empty and misunderstood
I should be thankful Lord, I know I should
But Lord, I hope this day is good
You've been the king since the dawn of time
All that I'm askin' is a little less crime
It might be hard for the devil to do
But it would be easy for you
Lord, I hope this day is good
I'm feelin' empty and misunderstood
I should be thankful Lord, I know I should
But Lord, I hope this day is good
Video
Brothers of the Heart - Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good (Live At Columbia, TN/2020)
Meaning & Inspiration
The enduring appeal of "Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good" found new resonance with the 2020 live release by Brothers of the Heart—comprising Jimmy Fortune, Bradley Walker, Mike Rogers, and Ben Isaacs—from their performance in Columbia, TN. This rendition brings a powerful authenticity to a song that has long offered comfort and understanding to countless people navigating the complexities of daily existence. While the original composition by Dave Loggins and its widespread recognition through Don Williams’ interpretation established its place in music history, this particular performance by Brothers of the Heart underscores its timeless spiritual message, inviting us to look beyond the surface of life's challenges.
The song delves into the deeply human experience of feeling "empty and misunderstood," a raw vulnerability that many can identify with. It’s a confession of struggle, acknowledging a duty to be thankful, yet admitting the difficulty of maintaining that posture amidst inner turmoil. This sentiment echoes the Psalmist's lament in Psalm 42:5, "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." The narrative voice doesn't pretend to possess perfect faith or unwavering joy; instead, it offers an honest plea, a simple request for a good day, recognizing the often overwhelming weight of unspoken burdens. This is not a demand but a humble petition, revealing a soul wrestling with its circumstances while still turning towards the divine.
Further into the lyrics, a moment of profound spiritual questioning emerges: "Lord, have you forgotten me? I've been prayin' to you faithfully." This cry, while seemingly indicative of doubt, is paradoxically an act of faith, for one only pleads with a God they believe can hear and respond. It mirrors the earnestness of Habakkuk 1:2, "O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you 'Violence!' and you will not save?" The singer then humbly states, "I'm not saying I'm a righteous man, But Lord, I hope you understand," which speaks to an understanding of human fallibility and the need for grace over strict merit. This aligns perfectly with the scriptural truth found in Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," emphasizing that our standing with God is not based on our perfection but on His mercy. The hope for understanding from the Divine is a hope for compassion, a reminder that God knows our frame, "He remembers that we are dust" (Psalm 103:14).
The song then shifts from introspective anguish to a broader perspective, rejecting material desires for "fortune and fame" in favor of something far more fundamental: peace and goodness in the day itself. The lines "Send down the thunder Lord, send down the rain, But when you're plannin' just how it will be, Plan a good day for me" reveal a remarkable surrender. It suggests an acceptance of God's sovereignty over all events, even the difficult ones, yet still maintains a plea for divine favor. This resonates with the wisdom of Proverbs 30:8-9, which asks God for "neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me," prioritizing contentment and reliance on God above worldly pursuits. The ultimate request is not for wealth or glory, but for a day free from undue hardship, a day where one can simply breathe and find a measure of tranquility.
Finally, the prayer expands to encompass a yearning for a better world, recognizing God's omnipotence: "You've been the king since the dawn of time, All that I'm askin' is a little less crime." This acknowledges God's eternal reign, as declared in Psalm 93:2, "Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting." The singer implicitly understands that what is impossible for humans—curbing the pervasive evil of the world—is entirely within God's power: "It might be hard for the devil to do, But it would be easy for you." This echoes Jeremiah 32:17, "Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you." The song, therefore, transforms from a personal cry for help into a broader intercession for the world, grounding its hope in the Creator's unwavering authority and ability to bring about goodness, even in a fallen world. "Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good" is not merely a song; it’s a profound spiritual dialogue, a testament to enduring faith that, even in moments of profound weariness and misunderstanding, still turns its gaze heavenward, trusting in a God who hears, understands, and ultimately provides.