This song originally performed by Don Williams is a great tune with a lyric with which many casual believers can identify.<p>As is the case with many of such who do not delve deeply into the Word and Holy Spirit there is some error in the thinking of the song writer.<p>Hope is a good thing when it is based on the promises of the Lord.  However, if it is just wishful thinking, it leads to a lot of heartbreak and disappointment.<p>The song writer's happiness is obviously a function of how other see him and treat him.  When a person is in intimate personal relationship with the Lord, how people treat them is not so important.<p>The Lord always has us in His mind and heart.  Our righteousness does not affect the Lord's love for us. The Lord has nothing but good plans for us.  It is our self-will that gets us off track.  The wickedness in the world is man's doing.  Yes, he is influenced by Satan but man chooses whom he will follow.<p>Our Lord could fix everything wrong in the world, but He would have to violate the will of man to do so. Rather, He draws us to Himself so that we come to Him understanding that His will is in our very best interests.  And so, we submit to Him is peace and joy and amazement at His love for us.