The Editor Speaks: “Ancient Words” is the worst Christian song EVER! “– Dr. Robert Cargill
“Ancient Words” is a modern Christian song written by Lynn DeShazo, although the vast majority of the public credit it to singer Michael W. Smith as he made the song very popular.
Here are the lyrics:
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
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.
You can hear Michael W. Smith singing the song on Youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouTgX9hcwk4
You will need to view both as this is the worst SONG – not just lyrics. And the worst Christian song EVER. Remember “Ever” when evaluating this statement.
Dr. Robert Cargill is the person who makes this claim. It is most definitely not me as I believe it is one of the VERY BEST Christian Songs EVER!
According to Dr. Cargill’s website he is:
Assistant Professor of Classics and Religious Studies at The University of Iowa. He is a biblical studies scholar, classicist, archaeologist, author, and digital humanist. His research includes study in the Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls, literary criticism of the Bible and the Pseudepigrapha, and the Ancient Near East. He has appeared as an expert on numerous television documentaries and specials and is an advocate for social justice and public higher education. He previously worked and taught at UCLA.
A.A. – Fresno City College (Liberal Arts)
B.S. – CSU Fresno (Human Physiology)
M.S. – Pepperdine University (Ministry)
M.Div. – Pepperdine University
M.A. – UCLA (Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations)
Ph.D. – UCLA (Near Eastern Languages and Cultures)
Full CV here at: https://robertcargill.com/about/
This is Dr. Cargill’s reasoning why “Ancient Words” is the worst Christian song EVER!
Being raised in the Restoration Movement in an a cappella tradition, song lyrics are all the more important, especially when there is no instrumental accompaniment to cover up poorly written, theologically defunct, or grammatically incorrect words.
Speaking of theologically lacking, grammatically incorrect music, let me introduce Lynn DeShazo and perhaps one of the worst offerings of grammatical nonsense of the past few decades. About five years ago, the University Church of Christ in Malibu introduced a song entitled Ancient Words into the repertoire. This group of thrown-together words that some call a “song” has got to be one of the most ill-conceived songs in the recent history of the English language. And yet, it gets passed along from one church to another like a joint at a reggae concert, often without anyone ever pausing to ask, “but is this really any good for us?” If you succeed in getting past the fact that Michael W. Smith is performing it (above), you are then left with the unavoidable reality that the song is a complete butchery of the English language.
Please allow me for a second to explain the grammatical concept of a transitive verb: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transitive_verb
Intransitive verbs do not need an object. I run. The dog eats. He dies. These verbs are intransitive; they don’t require direct or indirect objects. One cannot die something. You die. In this sentence, “die” is an intransitive verb. However, transitive verbs are verbs that require objects. For instance, were I to say, “Tomorrow, I am bringing,” you would think me an idiot, because “bringing” is a transitive verb and requires a direct object. What, precisely, am I bringing? (Answer: I’m bringing the smackdown on this disgrace of a song.)
Now re-read the lyrics to Ancient Words above and pay special attention to the chorus. “Oh let the ancient words impart.” Period. Impart what exactly? Impart direction? Impart wisdom? Impart love? Joy? Happiness? What are the ancient words imparting? Nothing! We don’t know what the ancient words are imparting because the song’s author never tells us! She just wrote some pretty sounding ancient words together, but forgot the ancient rules of grammar!
Here’s a Christian lyric for you: Of what good are open hearts if we know not what the words impart? (See, this stuff is easy.)
It’s a sixth grade grammatical song for an increasingly sixth grade Christian consumer market, willing to recite anything – including theological and grammatical nonsense – just to have their ears tickled and feel good. In many contemporary worship services, words mean nothing, but, if we sing them with heart and passion, perhaps we can overlook the fact that the lyrics are fundamentally ridiculous.
So add Ancient Words to Ha-la-la-la-la-la-la lei-lu-jah (whose second verse, ‘Jesus is a friend,’ sounds like a bunch of snakes hissing at each other), Blue Skies and Rainbows, Shine Jesus Shine, Onward Christian Soldiers, I Come to the Garden Alone, and anything written and/or arranged for a cappella by Ken Young as songs that should never be sung in corporate worship settings. And, as I have the unfortunate experience being reminded of others, I shall add them to this list.
Until such a time as this, allow me to offer this challenge to songwriters: focus on the lyrics. Good lyrics make good songs. But, don’t just write pretty sounding lyrics. Show your lyrics to others, preferably, to those with a theological education and at least a sixth grade education in English grammar. Use poetic license, but check for glaring grammatical errors. And, for the love of all that is good and holy, write lyrics that have meaning beyond simply fitting alliteratively into a fixed syllabic space.
You can read the whole thing (it has a very lengthy beginning as a Dr of Words is bound to have) at: https://robertcargill.com/2011/02/10/my-choice-for-worst-christian-song-ever-ancient-words/
That is his main reason for pronouncing this song as the worst EVER!
I do not have the paper qualifications to tackle his obvious grasp of the English language but that doesn’t stop him from being very ignorant when it comes to evaluating Christian songs – especially “Ancient Words”.
To make himself appear even more ignorant as he continually shows how clever he thinks he is but actually shows how stupid he is, he replies to the vast majority of people who disagree with him by ending his last sentence with a transitive verb.
What he doesn’t understand is that “Ancient Words” need no explanation what they “IMPART”. In fact you cannot describe what “Ancient Words” impart in the Christian sense. They are too vast and different to everybody.
I feel very sorry for Dr. Cargill. Satan is laughing and has placed on the doctor’s head his highest award.
Jesus Christ wore a Crown of Thorns. Satan has placed a Dunce’s Hat on Dr. Cargill’s!
Amen.
Hello everyone. The tune of Ancient Words is beautiful but truly to a World that doesn’t acknowledge Jesus Christ or the Bible what are the Ancient Words?? Needs more clarity.
It is a song for Believers and mind you the “Word” is mystery to the ignorant, all the words of our faith is foolishness to unbelievers. Pray for the SPIRIT’s interpretation and you will realise this song is awesome. Shalom
Amen to your comments my friend! This is one of my favorite worship songs ever! It’s very sad to me that Dr Cargill has missed the depth of beauty in this song. When I (& I believe most Christians) sing or hear this song, I am pulled into the heart of worship! As Christians, we KNOW we are singing about the beauty of God’s holy, written WORD! ALL OF IT! Yet for each of us it’s a very personal song, as favorite passages of scripture come to mind. Also when singing/hearing this song, I always think of the ancient men & women who went before me, teaching & sharing & preserving God’s ancient words. Dr Cargill seems quite pharisaical!
I agree with you 100%. It’s a great song and the lyrics are great. It includes the Wisdom of God, the Ancient Wisdom of God. That’s sacred and we are admonished not to cast our pearls (of wisdom) to the dogs. It’s like the parables that contained that ancient wisdom and concealed it from the masses but revealed it to the select few who had eyes to see and ears to hear.
Dr Cargill would be wise to do his own homework as this song was not written by Michael W. Smith . It was written by Lynn DeShazo.
Absolutely correct.
YES! Mrs. Pearl Wheatley, that’s the point, and that’s the point that Dr. Cargill failed to grasp, “Ancient Words”, the entire lyrics are for the matured, Spirit driven filled Christians who does not need Grammatical accuracy to understand the voice of and meaning of the ancient Words
I Corinthians 2:6-8, 10-15 NKJV6 “However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except for the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”
I Corinthians 2:6-8, 10-16 NKJV
Now you asked for clarity of what ‘Ancient Word’ means. Basically, ‘Ancient Words’ refers to the Almighty, Sovereign God, the Creator, God the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, the ”Ancient Word” in the creation. Read Genesis chapter 1 and 2, pay close attention to where you see, ‘God said’, and ‘God saw’ then, Proverb 8 and The Gospel according to Saint John 1:1-2. I wish this should suffice.
My Funk and Wagnall’s College Standard Dictionary 1946 and The New Winston Dictionary 1940 have the verb “impart” listed as both transitive and intransitive. The Dr. needed to use a dictionary before going off on a rant. I admit when I first heard the hymn it struck my ear the same way as his, so I looked it up. After that, I decided I loved the hymn.
I am not an English scholar but I know what music pleases my ear and what words touch my heart. Ancient Words is as good as it gets.
2 Timothy 3: 1-8 Comes to mind when I read things like Dr. Cargill wrote. Very sad indeed that one would focus on the grammatical errors to the exclusion of the impact this song has had on people’s lives. Rather Pharisaical in content. (Oops, fragmented sentences)
EXACTLY!!!!
I agree 100%!!!
The message therein and the impact the song ANCIENT WORD has made is beyond description. It seems to me that Dr Cargill does not have something inside of him that can connect to the anointed message of the song. Romans 8 vs 12 says if the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead DWELLS in you …………. It takes the INDWELLING of the Spirit of God to CONNECT to the thing of God. God bless the Composer of ANCIENT WORD. THE TESTIMONIES OF SONG’S IMPACT LIVE ON.
I mean Roman 8 vs 11.
Nah he’s right. As a song writer, I can confirm these are lyrics you might write as a quick poem 4 minutes before bed.
You are just like Robert Cargill. You too are void of the Spirit of God. You evidently are not born again by the Spirit of God because if you were you would know without a doubt that God exalts His Word even above His Great Name. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God, meaning the Word of God is Jesus Christ the very Savior of the world and that excludes you if you will believe in Him.
This evident the differences between being a Christian and a Bible Religious Scholars.
So, the guy you criticize, Daniel, is “void of the spirit of gawduh” because he criticizes the silly lyric. That’s a brilliant argument, you f***** genius!
In the above statement it should have said ENCLUDE instead of EXCLUDE
Even though you feel these lyrics could have been written in a few minutes before going to bed, they have been very powerful in their connection to many hearts. Perhaps instead of agonizing long and hard over lyrics, being inspired by the Word of Truth is what you need as a song writer?
Dr. Cargill would be a great guest on CNN or MSNBC which looks for the worst interpretation of what is said rather than the intent. I assume the song was written with a religious meaning rather than for a English class in grammar. The implication that I have always had when I sang “let the ancient words impart” are those of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
I couldn’t agree with you more!
The “Ancient Words” impart life, assurance of salvation and forgiveness of sins and peace through the sacrifice Christ made for us on the Cross. The Ancient Words I believe refers to the Holy Scriptures which are inspired and are inerrant. Inspired by God. Heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s word will remain forever.
Hallelujah !!!!!
I completely disagree! Nitpicking and misses the point altogether. This man is so full of himself. Needs those “Ancient Words” desperately!
>Needs those “Ancient Words” desperately!
Needs WHAT ancient words? Exactly what are those unnamed words supposed to mean? You don’t know? OK: they are whatever you want them to be. The silly song is about nothing more than a vague reference to ancient biblical texts, nothing more.
I have been trying to look for the meaning of this song ‘Ancient Words’ and the message it really passed, because the song woke me out of my sleep in the morning, and it’s been a while i listen to it. And i thought maybe the Holy Spirit was passing a message to me, but it only came through the song. Can someone help out please?
This song talks about how God has placed certain words within reach to guide us through life. Regardless of our area or corner of life in this world, these words guide us back God’s original designs or plans for us because within them God’s heart is revealed to us.
There is a brief glimpse of the history of God’s word that points to how we are not some upstart or new comer with all the latest ideas. We are part of a long and tested heritage of people who have used these words to build a life. As a result, we can and should listen to, hear the words of God and obey them.
Finally, in the refrain, we are reminded that though these words are long-standing, that is, they have been around for a long time, they are still true today. They can produce change and that is why we should listen and open up ourselves to the word of God so it might give us the life that it holds.
p.s. The way the Word of God speaks is special with each individual. The same way a song will hit you at your own special angle so the Word of God, the same as always will speak to you as and where you let it.
>Can someone help out please?
Yes. The silly song has no particular meaning beyond the smarmy emotionalism attached to it by listeners. Go back to sleep.
You got a help her
14 But the natural man(carnal minded) does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
I must also disagree with Dr. Robert Cargill. Allow me to explain why.
First, Verse 1 tells us precisely what God’s Word imparts. Namely, words of life, words of hope, and words that give us strength to cope. This is assumed in the chorus, even if grammatically incorrect.
Second, neither the phrase “Jesus is a friend” in word or concept appears in Verse 2. So, I am unsure how this can be offered as criticism.
Third, since these are the only points he makes, and does not address the rest of the lyrics, it can be hardly called “worse Christian song ever”. I would think Andy Park’s In The Secret was far worse!
Dear, Dr. Robert Cargill; I flunked high school English; I’m sorry to hear your enlightened mind can’t fathom the song and music; you seem to be the only to critique negative; while all other thousands seem to understand and are blessed by the song;
Please let me know where I can send to you a pair of scissors; so that you can start on your hymnal cutting out the following for starters; hymns The sweet by and by, or how about Channels Only.
What are the sweet by and by’s and Channels
So, as my friend from Minnesota would say; ” you are full of prunes”
Was disgusted at the overused meaningless Christian jargon: “god’s own heart”.
Former member of Petra. We were sincere, but it was nothing more than Christian entertainment. Be honest. All the lights, cameras, awards, magazine articles, money… we had our reward in the world. No one cares.
I feel sad for you Buck.
What you say is what I fear is at the heart of many so called, Christian musos, who are in the limelight. Their motivation is to draw attention to themselves not to their God, though only God knows their true heart. NEVER put these people on a pedestal as they may only disappoint.
All I need to know of Cargill is that he has spent his life in California and is full of, not the best, rather the worst it offers.
In the construct of the song it tells us what is to be imparted…
God’s own heart
Life
Hope
Strength
Coping
A Guide home
Heeding the faithful words of Christ
Change
God’s word is living; and life giving. It is the word itself that imparts, and is imparted. This is true worship – communion with God in Spirit and Truth – His Spirit and His word. Amazing song – I often sing it like a prayer to the Lord, “Oh let [Your] ancient words impart.”
Well said Elizabeth. The Word of God is indeed a Living Word. And being such it is so awesome and true that it brings us to Worship by the Holy Spirit living in us. Also those unbelievers who hear the Spirit calling and open their hearts to the call.
EXPERT (???) educated fool critic!!!!
The problem with today’s overeducated egoistic writers.
I’m not even an native English speaker but, even when I can notice snare and gratuitous insidiousness and even when I agree on the importance of God’s Spirit intervention in the reaching of spiritual messages, I can surely see a conflict between truth properly explained and creative/poetic license. This I say under the impression that beside the obvious end of worship God, there is also adjacent ends like teaching and heart softening and moving which, by my account, would require to put bigger efforts in the construction of a pure and simple message over a grandiloquent or poetically beautiful text (that can bring confusion), given that, in the author’s mind, there should be high regard for brothers, sisters and its spiritual growth. Anyway, this I would like to point:
– The way that God talks to us is different for every one, but the messages are always the same.
– There is not one grammatically confusing song in the Bible.
– Biblical songs are easy to understand, rich in meaning and precise in its significance.
– Critics should be given from a place of concern, although there are times when the zeal of God moves you to reprehend and reprove.
– God see the intentions of the hearts of song lyrics, but he deserves our utmost efforts.
PS. The previous comments are a kind of proof of the confusion that can be generated by not correctly developed lyrics, because there is a range of interpretation over the lyrics and most of then fail to develop a rich message, like the biblical lyrics.
List of erratas as found by me XP:
… even when I can notice snare and gratuitous insidiousness [in the Dr. criticisms] and even …
… This I say under the impression that beside[s] the obvious …
… The way that God talks to us is different for [everyone], but …
… [Criticisms] should be given from a place of concern, although …
… because there is a range of interpretation[s] over the lyrics and …
… God see the intentions of the hearts of song lyrics [writers] …
This song draws my heart close to God I like it like anything! It adds more meaning to my prayer life, although I also wondered how the word impart is fitting! But any way Great song indeed! BOB!
Ancient Words is a song that blesses hearts, not a few. The word of God produces change in everyone that hears or studies it- Sinner to saint, saint to higher glory. Thanks be to God for this song.
Beautiful song! The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” The “Ancient Word” is Jesus. How spiritually ignorant man indeed remains. Just let the ancient words impart, you fools who are ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
I missed the part where there was a theological error in this song. Just read it. Everything it says is true.
Also, I’m pretty sure “let the ancient words impart”, though grammatically unsound, is just her poetic/rhyming way of saying “let the ancient words be imparted” or “let the ancient words come to us”, which most people can infer and everyone is okay with, save a few quarrelsome bananas with no peace in there hearts.
God’s words for his children are just too numerous to put down in a song lyric. As I listen to this song, bible verses keep popping up in my mind. “Ancient words” from God to you, all depends on what’s going on in your life at a particular time. So, what the words might be to me at the time of my distress may not be the same for you. May God bless your hearts.
I agree so much with your comments
In my view the first verse “they resound with God’s own heart” -read that again –
“GOD’s OWN HEART” … This is what those ancient words impart!
Leave the grammar and catch the msg…This song had pulled many to the foot of the cross; inspiring something of God in the hearts of men. I am afraid to say that it takes an antichrist to oppose this kind of powerful hymn.
I am not looking at the grammar but the message. God bless the composer!
There are times that what we say says more about who we are than what we are discussing. Having letters does not mean that we always say things that make perfect sense; this is very true for me. A person may be more influenced by his/her mind-set than wisdom. In the clinic, we listened not only what the person says but the measure of his/her perception. There is nothing improper in disliking something that is not on a person’s wave length. I believe this time the discourse speaks more about the writer than the song. I vote for this expression of God and His Word. Beautiful. He keeps on changing me.
Thank you, Darrell Grant, for your last sentence: “He keeps on changing me.â€
Your comments were given on January 2, 2021, three and a half months ago and brought me to happy tears today (Sunday morning, April 18). My wife & I still haven’t returned to the church building to worship (post COVID-19) so we will worship “virtually†but IN REALITY with you, Darrell, and with all other Christians of the world whose hearts and faces are turned upward to our wonderful, loving God!!! Every time I sing this song I FEEL & KNOW that we, God’s are all United in this happy! Wonderful Reaching for Him! And Indeed He DOES keep “changing me and changing youâ€!!! Poor Dr. whatchamacallhim! He needs a lot more hugs and prayers. He can’t join in the joy and praise! God bless you all who host and read this thread and respond in love! This is a day Our Lord has made!
I’m with Dr. Cargill on this one – it’s a terrible song from both a content and a melodic perspective. It’s theologically bereft, vague, and repetitive, to be more precise.
The critique of “Ancient Words” by Dr whatever is sickening. It’s not worth talking about. May God reveal himself to this lost academic.
I am just about to introduce this song to the congregation of our church.
As mature Christians I am sure they will be more than capable of deciding as to whether this song is dross or Spirit filled; I know what I think or I would not be introducing it!
I am very sorry if my ramblings are not grammatically correct to the letter though.
GREAT HYMN!!! Should become a classic.
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven. Where meek souls will receive Him still the dear Christ enters in. JOHN 1: 1..5
FAITH COMES BY HEARING AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD.
FOR BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED THROUGH FAITH AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS A GIFT OF GOD.
THE “ANCIENT WORDS” ARE GOD’S HOLY WORD, THE HOLY BIBLE. WHEN WE COME TO REALIZE OUR SINFUL AND FALLEN STATE AND WE HEAR THE GOOD NEWS AND BELIEVE, WE ARE CHANGED. SO FAITH COMES BY HEARING AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD. I THINK THAT IS WHAT THE SONG IS ABOUT. IF ANY MAN IS IN CHRIST HE IS A NEW CREATION. WE BECOME “IN CHRIST” BY FAITH, WE GET FAITH BY THE WORD OF GOD (ANCIENT WORDS).
I think the song has in mind that it is by the Word of God we realize our need and it is by the Word we see God’s remedy for sin and it is by the Word that we exercise faith in Christ and are changed (born again.)
One cannot pick mango fruit and because one said nothing squeezing the fruit will give you grape juice. The Ancient Word has content that’s endless in list for one song. However if one subscribes to the Ancient Word the content will flow. Spend time studying and receiving of the content of the Word and you naturally heal yourself of this Myopia.
This entire, mostly unkind and unspiritual discussion, has to me imparted.
See, that really doesn’t work.
Mysteries are hidden from those who are wise in their own thoughts. Scholarship cannot reveal mysteries, but the Holy Ghost does. “Oh, let the ancient words impart” can mean different things to everyone based on the expectations of an individual at that moment.