The Old Book And The Old Faith

“The Old Book and the Old Faith” by George H. Carr is a stirring hymn written in 1914 that celebrates the enduring power, reliability, and authority of God’s Word. At a time when modern thought and skepticism were gaining influence, this hymn stood as a bold affirmation of the unchanging truth of Scripture. Carr wrote it as a heartfelt defense of the Bible’s divine inspiration, reminding believers that while cultures, philosophies, and opinions may shift, the Word of God remains steadfast and eternal.

The hymn’s message centers on two great constants—the “Old Book,” which is the Holy Bible, and the “Old Faith,” which is the simple, saving faith in Jesus Christ. Carr unites these two ideas as inseparable foundations of the Christian life. The “Old Book” is presented as the unerring guide that lights the believer’s path, while the “Old Faith” represents the timeless trust in God’s promises that brings salvation and strength to the soul. Together, they stand as an anchor amid a changing and uncertain world.

Each stanza proclaims loyalty to Scripture and confidence in its message of redemption. The hymn’s refrain is a triumphant declaration of devotion to the Bible and the gospel it contains, rejoicing that both will endure forever. The language reflects a spirit of conviction and gratitude, portraying the Bible not as a relic of the past but as a living source of truth, wisdom, and power. Carr’s words echo the psalmist’s declaration that God’s Word is settled in heaven, unchangeable and everlasting.

Musically, the hymn carries a confident and stately tone, fitting for its theme of faith’s permanence. It invites believers to sing with assurance that the truth of Scripture will never fail. Its message has been especially cherished in Bible-believing churches and revival movements, where it is often used to reaffirm commitment to the authority of God’s Word.

George H. Carr’s composition captures the spirit of the early twentieth-century evangelical movement, which sought to uphold biblical orthodoxy against rising tides of doubt and secularism. His hymn reminds the Church that faith is not built on shifting human ideas but on the eternal truth of God’s revelation.

“The Old Book and the Old Faith” continues to inspire confidence in the reliability of the Scriptures and the enduring power of the gospel. It encourages every believer to hold fast to the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3) and to rejoice that the Word of God, tested through centuries, still stands unchanged and victorious.