Listen to “Come Let Us Hope in the Lord”

HEAR FROM BR. JOE ON WHY HE WROTE THE SONG

Behind the lyrics

Hello, my name is Br. Joe Donovan. I’d like to share with you a few thoughts about the song, “Come Let Us Hope in the Lord.” The text for the song comes from Lamentations Chapter 3, and from a time I spent meditating on that passage after I received news that Br. Ken Apuzzo Sr. had suffered a severe heart attack. Though the surgery went well, it looked like his recovery was not going well. So, we had to think about the possibility of his funeral Mass and the music for that and this is the song that began to emerge in my head based on this text.

The text comes from the Prophet Jeremiah writing in the book of Lamentations while Israel was going through severe trials and severe hardships. Nonetheless, the Prophet, recounting all of those trials, writes this:

I will recall this to my mind as my reason to have hope.
The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, His mercies are not spent.
They are renewed each morning—so great is His faithfulness.

This was a word of consolation, not just for us Brothers as we faced the imminent death of our own brother, but also as a word for all believers who are in the midst of very difficult situations and trials. Though we go through difficulties and trials in this life, the Lord is always faithful to us. Our Heavenly Father has shown Himself faithful and confirms His faithfulness by sending His son Jesus who, in Himself, is our hope.

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Song lyrics

Refrain:

Come, let us hope in the Lord!

His compassion never fails.

He renews His love every day.

Great, His faithfulness.

x2

This I recall to my mind.

Therefore, I have hope.

His steadfast love has never ceased,

And His mercy endures without end.

Refrain

The Lord is your portion, says my soul,

I will hope in Him.

The Lord is good to those who wait,

To the soul that is seeking for Him.

Refrain x2