J.D. Considine from
The Baltimore Sun complimented the "lilting, Latin cadences" of "Hope of Deliverance".
Larry Flick from
Billboard magazine remarked that
McCartney "continues to embrace warm and positive visions on this first glimpse into his upcoming
Off the Ground collection." He explained, "A soft, acoustic-anchored arrangement clips along at a breezy pace. Spanish cultural influences and handclappin' rhythms gives the track a unique and refreshing vibe that will please programmers at
pop,
AC, and
album-rock levels. Like a visit from a dear old friend." Randy Clark from
Cash Box felt the single "is certainly not representative of the more brilliant musical work Paul has done over his 30-plus year career, although it's refreshing that he continues to enjoy the process." He added, "The intended inspiration of this track offers no solutions to "
...the darkness that surrounds us", but it could be comforting for some to know Mr. Happy McMoneybags can still write a positive little pop song about anything." A reviewer from
Evening Herald noted the "uplifting pop panache" of the song.
Irish Independent declared it as "simple, efficient pop".
Liverpool Echo stated that it "sees Paul entering 1993 with optimism", adding further, "The single that grows and grows like most McCartney songs. It highlights his, optimistic side and his acoustic gift. It has flashbacks of the hit single '
Goodnight Tonight'." In his weekly UK chart commentary,
James Masterton described it as "a gentle acoustic
ballad". Alan Jones from
Music Week wrote, "A jangly guitar intro ushers in a double-tracked Macca on a quirky but ultimately undistinguished and rather corny track, with an insipid middle eight. McCartney last breached the
Top 10 in 1987 and this, sadly, isn't the song to end his drought." Parker Puterbaugh from
Rolling Stone said it is "one of those perfect little tunes McCartney plucks from his songwriter's subconscious like a pearl from a shell. Deceptively wispy, effortlessly catchy, it finds McCartney breezily proffering a positive attitude toward the days ahead". ==Chart performance==