Phil Wickham - Living Hope Lyrics
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
How great the chasm that lay between us
How high the mountain I could not climb
In desperation, I turned to heaven
And spoke Your name into the night
Then through the darkness, Your loving-kindness
Tore through the shadows of my soul
The work is finished, the end is written
Jesus Christ, my living hope
[Verse 2]
Who could imagine so great a mercy?
What heart could fathom such boundless grace?
The God of ages stepped down from glory
To wear my sin and bear my shame
The cross has spoken, I am forgiven
The King of kings calls me His own
Beautiful Savior, I'm Yours forever
Jesus Christ, my living hope
[Chorus]
Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain
There's salvation in Your name
Jesus Christ, my living hope
Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain
There's salvation in Your name
Jesus Christ, my living hope
[Verse 3]
Then came the morning that sealed the promise
Your buried body began to breathe
Out of the silence, the Roaring Lion
Declared the grave has no claim on me
Then came the morning that sealed the promise
Your buried body began to breathe
Out of the silence, the Roaring Lion
Declared the grave has no claim on me
Jesus, Yours is the victory, whoa!
[Chorus]
Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain
There's salvation in Your name
Jesus Christ, my living hope
Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain
There's salvation in Your name
Jesus Christ, my living hope...
[Outro]
Jesus Christ, my living hope
Oh God, You are my living hope
Video
Phil Wickham - Living Hope (Official Music Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Phil Wickham's "Living Hope," released on March 29, 2018, stands as a powerful testament to the foundational truths of the Christian faith, drawing its profound strength from the resurrection of Jesus Christ. At its core, the song is an anthem of liberation from sin and death, articulating a profound shift from despair to enduring hope. Wickham masterfully crafts a narrative that begins with humanity's fallen state, referencing the spiritual death described in Ephesians 2:1, which speaks of being dead in transgressions and sins. The song then pivots to the redeeming work of Christ, presenting Him as the central figure of this renewed existence. The central message hinges on the resurrection, which is not merely an event but the very cornerstone of our faith, as articulated by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:14, stating, "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." This truth is woven throughout the lyrics, emphasizing that the victory over death is the source of our living hope. The lyrics powerfully convey that the emptiness and despair that once defined us are replaced by the certainty of God's faithfulness, a concept echoed in numerous biblical passages like Lamentations 3:22-23, which proclaims, "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Wickham’s composition serves as a declaration of this new life, one characterized by redemption, freedom from bondage, and an unshakeable assurance in God’s promises. The song’s theological depth invites listeners to contemplate the immense weight of Christ’s sacrifice and the boundless power of His resurrection, positioning it as a vibrant expression of the Gospel, encouraging a steadfast belief in the transformative power of a living hope rooted in Christ’s victory.