Lyrics
Verse 1
Bread of life sent down from glory
Many things you were on earth
A Holy King, a carpenter
You are the Living Word
Verse 2
Bread of Heaven sent down from glory
Many things you were on earth
A Holy King, a carpenter
You are the Living Word (2x)
Verse 3
Awesome ruler, gentle Redeemer
God with us, the Living Truth
And what a friend we have in you
You are the Living Word (2x)
Bridge
(But when we put it all together this is what we like to call You...)
Jesus, Jesus! That's what we call you
Manger born, but on a tree
You died to save humanity
You are the Living Word (4x)
Outro
Oh oh oh
You are the Living Word (3x)
Jesus, Jesus! That's what we call You
Jesus, Jesus Oh, oh
You are the Living Word (3x then fade)
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“You Are the Living Word” by Fred Hammond is a praise song that names Jesus through a series of titles. It begins with “Bread of life sent down from glory,” close to John 6:35 and 6:51, and says that on earth He was a Holy King and a carpenter. The refrain returns each time: “You are the Living Word,” a phrase near John 1:1 and 1:14.
The next verse calls Him awesome ruler, gentle Redeemer, God with us, and the Living Truth, and adds “what a friend we have in you.” These names recall Matthew 1:23 and John 14:6. A spoken line introduces the section where the singers call out “Jesus, Jesus! That’s what we call you.”
The song then summarizes the story in a few words: manger born, but on a tree, He died to save humanity. The ending repeats the refrain and fades. It is a simple, direct song of adoration.