Kim Burrell - Song for the Hopeful Lyrics
Lyrics
(Harry Connick, Jr.)
People with hope
Have a special prayer,
A louder drum,
A brighter flare.
This is a song for the hopeful.
May God hear it sung.
People with faith
Are the lucky kind.
They'll be the ones
With peace of mind.
This is a song for the faithful.
May God hear it sung.
There's a song for the doubtful.
There's a song for the lost.
There's a song for the desert
Barren, but crossed.
But for those who are strong of spirit,
Maybe they don't need to hear it.
But still, a song for them.
A simple song for them.
Nothing can shade
A seasoned soul.
It's all the loss
That makes it whole.
This is a song for the hopeful.
This is a song for the faithful.
This is a song for the hopeful.
May God hear it sung.
May God hear it sung.
May God hear it sung
Video
Song For The Hopeful (feat. Kim Burrell) (Album Version)
Meaning & Inspiration
On February 1, 2016, Kim Burrell gifted the world with "Song for the Hopeful," a profound exploration of faith, resilience, and divine attention. This piece immediately draws the soul into a contemplative space, articulating not just a sentiment but a deeply rooted spiritual reality. While the composition itself possesses a certain grace, its enduring power resides squarely in its lyrical message, serving as a beacon for those navigating the complexities of their spiritual walk, and a testament to the enduring presence of God.
The song immediately elevates "people with hope" to a special status, describing them as possessing "a special prayer, a louder drum, a brighter flare." This imagery is striking because it portrays hope not as a passive wish, but as an active, vibrant force. Hope, in this context, becomes a spiritual declaration, a visible and audible manifestation that reaches beyond human perception. This resonates deeply with Scripture, particularly Romans 12:12, which exhorts believers to "rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Here, hope isn't merely an emotion; it fuels fervent prayer and gives one’s spiritual presence a clarity, like a guiding light or an undeniable beat that captures the divine ear. Similarly, "people with faith" are characterized as "the lucky kind," not in a superficial sense, but because their conviction grants them "peace of mind." This aligns perfectly with Hebrews 11:1, defining faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Such faith is a divine blessing, fostering an inner tranquility that transcends earthly circumstances, much like the peace promised in Philippians 4:7, "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." It's a peace that isn't earned by chance but is a direct fruit of trusting in God.
The song's empathetic scope expands to acknowledge the full spectrum of human experience, reaching out to "the doubtful," "the lost," and even "the desert barren, but crossed." This beautifully captures the reality that the spiritual journey is not always smooth or certain. Yet, even in desolation, the "desert barren, *but crossed*" speaks volumes about divine companionship through arduous trials. This echoes numerous biblical passages where God guides His people through wilderness periods, such as in Isaiah 43:2: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." The journey through hardship is often precisely where faith is forged and refined, where God's sustaining presence becomes most palpable, turning moments of vulnerability into testimonies of endurance.
A pivotal theme emerges when the song speaks of the "strong of spirit" and the profound truth that "nothing can shade a seasoned soul. It's all the loss that makes it whole." This powerful statement dives into the transformative nature of suffering and tribulation, presenting them not as destructive forces but as integral components of spiritual maturation. A "seasoned soul" is one that has weathered storms, faced adversity, and emerged with deeper wisdom and an unshakeable connection to the divine. This concept is robustly supported by Scripture, particularly Romans 5:3-5, which beautifully explains, "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Here, "loss" is not merely something to be endured, but a catalyst that contributes to spiritual completeness, aligning our hearts with God's perfect plan and making us whole in a resilient, profound way that mere comfort never could.
The repeated invocation, "May God hear it sung," transforms the song itself into a living prayer, a corporate affirmation of faith and hope. It’s an earnest plea and a declaration of trust that the prayers and expressions of devotion from God's people do not vanish into thin air but are indeed received by the Divine. This resonates with the consistent biblical promise that God inclines His ear to the cries of His children. As Psalm 102:1 states, "Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you!" The collective voice of the hopeful and the faithful, lifted in song, serves as a powerful testament to the belief that every sincere utterance, every declaration of trust, reaches the throne of grace. "Song for the Hopeful" by Kim Burrell, therefore, is far more than a musical composition; it's a spiritual anthem, a biblically rich encouragement for every soul striving to walk in faith, reminding us that our hopes, our prayers, and even our journeys through barren deserts are deeply heard and cherished by the Almighty, making us truly whole.