Verse 1
Ye faithful few of Israel’s captive days,
Who homeward ever fixed your faithful gaze, (Neh. 1:8-9)
Though far from home, your life was hidden there (Col. 3:3, Ps. 137:1-6)
Prisoners of Hope, but victors of despair (Zech. 9:12)
Verse 2
Ye of old time who waited for the Lord, (Isa. 40:31, Ps. 33:20, Ps. 37:7, Ps. 37:9, Ps. 40:1, Prov. 20:22, Isa. 25:9, Isa. 26:8, Isa. 30:18, Isa. 33:2, Isa. 49:23, Lam. 3:25-26, Mic. 7:7, Phil. 3:20)
And turned you to the Stronghold of His Word
Prisoners of Hope, ye could not be forlorn (Zech. 9:12)
In depth of night so certain of the morn (Ps. 130:5-6)
Verse 3
Ye of the good report in every age, (Heb. 11:2)
Who in that refuge met the tempest’s rage (Ps. 57:1, Ps. 46:1-3)
Prisoners of Hope, ye knew the strife would cease (Zech. 9:12)
And in its wildest hour foretasted peace
Verse 4
O turn ye thither, ye who lie so low
With sin beset or desolate in woe
Up, from the dust where ye so long have lain (Isa. 52:2, Dan. 12:2, Ezek. 37:1-14)
The Rock of Ages was not cleft in vain (Ex. 17:6, I Cor. 10:4)
Optional Verse
Prisoners of Hope, there shall ye rest awhile (Zech. 9:12)
Watching in peace the starry promise smile
Willing to keep your vigil till at last (I Pet. 4:7)
Hope’s gentle tyranny be overpast
Verse 5
O Word of Christ, that cannot pass away (Matt. 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33, Matt. 5:18, Luke 16:17)
The Church’s Stronghold in her evil day (Ps. 46:1)
Turn we to thee, whatever foe prevail
On the wild hill, or in the solemn vale
Verse 6
To thee we turn, until our souls shall hear
The King we serve, the Lord we love, draw near
And we shall change, when His command is given (Phil. 3:20-21, I Cor. 15:51, I Thess. 4:16-17)
Hope’s happy prison-house for happier heaven (Zech. 9:12)