Lyrics
Verse 1
Everyone knows there is pain in this life
We've all seen our share of tears
But I choose to live on the positive side
And I won't be held hostage by fear
Chorus
I'm a prisoner of hope, bound by my faith
Chained to Your love, locked up in grace
I'm free to leave but I'll never go
I'm wonderfully, willingly, freely a prisoner of hope
Verse 2
Some people doubt what they don't understand
But I know what's true in my heart
Now I can't control what's out of my hands
But I can lay back in Your arms
Chorus
I'm a prisoner of hope, bound by my faith
I'm a prisoner of hope, bound by my faith, bound by my faith
Chained to Your love, locked up in grace
I'm free to leave but I'll never go
I'm wonderfully, willingly, freely a prisoner of hope
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Prisoner of Hope is a song that turns a phrase from Scripture into a personal confession. The first verse admits that everyone knows pain and tears, but chooses to live on the positive side and refuses to be held hostage by fear. The chorus then reverses the image of captivity: the singer is bound by faith, chained to God's love and locked up in grace, free to leave but never willing to go.
The second verse acknowledges that some doubt what they do not understand and that many things are out of human control, but the singer can lay back in the arms of God. The repeated chorus ends with the word picture of being wonderfully, willingly and freely a prisoner of hope. The phrase comes from Zechariah 9:12, while Romans 15:13 speaks of the God of hope and 2 Timothy 1:7 of a spirit of power instead of fear. The steady, easy-to-sing chorus gives the song a settled, encouraging tone.
Related Scripture
- Zechariah 9:12 The prophet calls the people prisoners of hope to return to the stronghold.
- Romans 15:13 The God of hope fills believers with joy and peace.
- 2 Timothy 1:7 God gave a spirit of power, love and self-control, not fear.