Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart
These words ring with such truth in the chorus of this moving hymn, Ancient Words. A hymn about the power of the words written in God’s Word, the Holy Bible. And so, they ring with truth in the heart of every believer who has experienced His words in their life. How these ancient Words have changed my life in so many ways – how they have changed me!! Ancient Words from the Ancient of Days!
This hymn was written by Lynn DeShazo. As a gifted musician and worship leader, Lynn authored more than 350 songs and hymns in a career spanning over 30 years. In 1999, she wrote Ancient Words because she wanted to write a contemporary hymn to express how reading God’s Word for herself had changed her life. Although not raised to do so, she had discovered for herself that relying on the Word of God for daily living is something long shared by believers everywhere.
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh, let the ancient words impart
The holy words this hymn speaks of are precious in the life of every believer in Jesus! When we come to know Him in our hearts, we so often find that we simply cannot get enough of His Word!
I distinctly remember as a new Christian sitting with like-minded girlfriends in church on Sunday morning. While waiting for the service to begin, we would be quietly reading our Bibles. When one of us came across a passage that spoke to us, we would lean over to our neighbor ever so carefully and quietly, with our open Bible, to share what we found! Oh, the joy that followed! We were so amazed and so ready to find the next treasure to share with one another!
In our minds we were truly practicing Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs”- for we were teaching and admonishing each other by sharing nuggets from God’s word!
As believers we experience God’s heart as we devour His Word. Through this water of life, this food for our souls, we allow Him to imprint His truths into our own hearts and minds. We know we cannot tell anyone exactly what these Ancient Words will impart because we who know Him,need no explanation. For what they impart is varied and personal to every believer as He speaks to each of our current needs through His Word. Ultimately what is imparted to one today will not necessarily be imparted in the same way to another.
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
It is through these Ancient Words that a believer receives hope and assurance, strength and direction, and ultimate guidance to carry on in our daily challenges. They are our very life-line as we learn to live life as God created it to be lived. His words have the power to mold, hammer, and convict us; yes, even in today’s changing, challenging world, we can be changed into a people honoring to God, the Author and perfector of our faith.
For as Christ made the ultimate sacrifice for us, it behooves us to heed His words for our own growth and maturity as believers. For truly His Word is “quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ
I so love how His words can be made real to us causing us to keep returning to the Word even when, as the Psalmist says, “My soul clings to the dust, revive me according to Your Word!” Psalm 119:25
We are blessed in today’s English-speaking world to have access to various translations and versions of these Ancient Words. Time and again, I have found that a simplified or more defined passage or word has helped to shed light on the wording of passages I have struggled with. His words, though ancient, are truly timeless as they have been handed down to us in this way. “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth: it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
Our understanding grows as we learn the truths God would have us assimilate into our daily lives. It’s been my experience that when God has something to say to me specifically, He even knows which version or translation I’ll need to read in order to hear and more fully understand what He is wanting to impress on me. What an amazement! That God would use His word, translated by man (or explained from a pulpit or by a teacher or anyone else) to get my attention – to impart His Words directly to my heart!
Ancient Words – we are called by them, we are invited to live by them, and we are changed by them. We are convicted and encouraged by them. We are drawn to them as they continue to change our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. “For the grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of our God Stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPz-6SfrIoU
Ancient Words (by Lynn B. Deshazo – 1999)
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
[Chorus:]
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart
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 x4:]
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impartInstrument
Songwriters: Deshazo B Lynn
For non-commercial use only.
Data from: Musixmatch
Sources: Internet: Ancient Words/Hymnary.org / Words and Musings/“Ancient Words” and the Canadian Grammar Police/Lynn DeShazo / “More Precious Than Silver” by Lynn DeShazo