1.

O the hope of the Gospel stands firm as a rock;
What it promises surely will be.
He who gave us His Word is the Yea and Amen
And has sworn an eternal decree.
Let us therefore in faith and in confidence stand,
In our conflict on earth faithful be;
For we know that our labor shall not be in vain,
And eternal the fruit we shall see.

Chorus:

Thanks and praise to our God for His mercy so great,
For the new, living hope that He gave,
Because Jesus, His Son, over death has prevailed.
With great pow’r He arose from the grave.

2.

We are not of the earth; no, our home is above,
In the city established by God.
Let us therefore take heed to our Sovereign so great
Who before Pontius Pilate once stood.
There He witnessed a goodly confession so bold,
That His kingdom was not of this earth.
Let us witness this too, and as pilgrims we’ll show
By our lives that this world has no worth.

3.

As His bride we receive His own nature divine
And are filled with the fullness of God.
Thus as holy and pure, we before Him shall stand,
Full of joy, without wrinkle or spot.
In our hearts God Himself has begun this great work;
Both the Author and Finisher, He!
So in patience be faithful and look unto Him,
For our bright, living hope soon we’ll see.

4.

So we praise Thee, O God, for our heavenly call,
An inheritance holy and sure—
For the new, living way made in Jesus, Thy Son,
Who has brought us by blood very near.
O preserve us, dear God, in a spirit of fire,
In a zeal full of wisdom and love.
In the hope Thou didst give us as joint heirs with Him,
Let us live by this life from above.

Written by Thorleif Hansen (published in 1916)traditional swedish songText © Stiftelsen Skjulte Skatters ForlagNorway ⋅ A