Thursday Hymn Reflection: "Ancient Words"

[Each Thursday, we give “reflections” on songs suggested by our readers. To add a song to our upcoming posts, leave no more than three suggestions in the comments.]

A fairly new song, “Ancient Words” has found its way into more popular usage in the last couple of years. As older songs have done, “Ancient Words” celebrates God’s Word, but it also has a unique trait in that it celebrates the history of the Bible.

The history of the Bible is a fascinating study. Most of us respect God’s Word and hold it as inspired, but many fail to see the connection between our day and when the Bible was actually written. The bringing of the Bible from ancient days to us is, in many ways, a study of God’s providence, and should cause us to desire the Bible in more languages throughout the world.

The song holds a very simple four-verse structure, and the language is very simple. However, when you read the song as a poem, you will find that it is truly profound. Written by Michael W. Smith, “Ancient Words” is a song that needs to be learned by more people and sung more. Here are the words:

Holy words long preserved
for our walk in this world,
They resound with God’s own heart.
Oh let the ancient words impart

Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home.

Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.

Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world.
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.

CHORUS:
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you,
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Outside the history aspect, I think my favorite part of this song is the section where we sing that the words of the Bible “give us strength” and “help us cope.” I like that part for its simplicity. There is nothing deep about the wording, but the song is expressing a truth that we need to always hold dear; that when we struggle, it is God and His Word that will guide us and help us.

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How simple is this song? Here’s a two-year-old singing the chorus!