Verse 1
Deep in the shadows of the past
Far out from the settled lands
Some nomads travelled with their God
Across the desert sands
The dawn of hope for humankind
Was glimpsed by them alone
A promise calling them ahead
A future yet unknown
Verse 2
While others bowed to changeless gods
They met a mystery
God with an uncompleted name
'I am what I will be'
And by their tents around their fires
In story song and law
They praised remembered handed on
A past that promised more
Verse 3
From Abraham to Nazareth
The promise changed and grew
While some remembering the past
Recorded what they knew
And some in letters or laments
In prophecy and praise
Recovered held and re-expressed
New hope for changing days
Verse 4
For all the writings that survived
For leaders long ago
Who sifted chose and then preserved
The Bible that we know
Give thanks and find its promise yet
Our comfort strength and call
The working model for our faith
Alive with hope for all
