Wishing, Hoping, Knowing

A long time I wan­dered in dark­ness and sin

And won­dered if ever the light would shine in;

I heard Christ­ian friends tell of rap­tures di­vine

And wished

how I wished

that their Sav­ior were mine.

I wished He were mine

yes

I wished He were mine;

I wished

how I wished

that their Sav­ior were mine.

I heard the glad Gos­pel of good will to men;

I read who­so­ev­er again and again;

I said to my soul

Can that pro­mise be thine?

And then be­gan hop­ing that Je­sus were mine.

I hoped He was mine

yes

I hoped He was mine;

I then be­gan hop­ing that Je­sus was mine.

Oh

mer­cy sur­pris­ing

He saves ev­en me!

Thy por­tion for­ev­er

He says

I will be.

On His word I’m rest­ing—as­sur­ance di­vine—

I’m hop­ing no long­er—I know He is mine!

I know He is mine

yes

I know He is mine;

I’m hop­ing no long­er—I know He is mine!