From the beginning God’s Word has stood
            steadfast, strong, and sure.
Magnified above His name,
            that Word is so precious and pure.
As His words become the standard
            by which we measure our own,
The truth from our lips
            will be declared and made known.

The words we confess to ourselves
            determine what we will be.
Success or failure, loss or gain,
            our own mouth holds the key.
Our tongue is the rudder,
            but it’s our heart that sets our course.
Surely a heart filled with God’s Word
            makes the tongue a productive force.

The words we speak to others
            can wound and hurt or mend and heal.
Our words can make another’s heart glad,
            or gladness our words may steal.
Hasty and thoughtless words
            may cause another’s heart to break,
While gracious and timely words
            can lift the burden from hearts that ache.

And what of the words you hear spoken
            as you go about your day?
In the battle of words which ones
            will you hear and obey?
Will you give heed to the words of men
            whose wisdom is not from above?
Or will you trust in the words sent
            from the heart of our God Who is love?

--Ken Petty