To understand this hymn we first must understand that the term “Babel” refers to a place of confusion. Especially confusion induced by mankind’s struggle to dominate God. The Biblical background is found in the days following Noah’s flood. The people of earth thought that they should organize a plan of safety, they would build a tower so that they could climb out of the flood waters of God’s judgment if necessary. God confused the language of mankind in response.
The early call of the Church of God was to come out of Babel, leave the confusion of man made creeds, sectarian divisions and the denominational struggle to organize God’s work as though they owned the work.
A similar term used by the early Church of God was “Babylon.” Where as the term “Babel” spoke of spiritual confusion, “Babylon” spoke of false religion. In the parlance of the Church of God, Babylon refers to the man made denominational systems as opposed to the Divinely organized “Body of Christ” which no man dare organize.
With this definition of Babel in mind, let’s listen to the podcast.
Back to the blessed old Bible,
Back to the city of God;
Back to the oneness of heaven,
Back where the faithful have trod.
Back from the land of confusion,
Passing the wrecks and the creeds;
Back to the light of the morning,
Jesus our Captain leads.
Refrain:
Back to the blessed old Bible,
Back to the light of its word;
Be on our banners forever:
“Holiness unto the Lord.”
Back to the blessed old Bible,
Saints of Jehovah, rejoice;
Jesus is calling His people
Back to the land of their choice.
Often our fathers have sought it
While we in Babel abode,
Now we have found the fair city—
Church of the living God. [Refrain]
Back to the blessed old Bible,
Leaving confusion and strife;
Fleeing from Babel to Zion,
Back to the joy of our life.
Over the mountains we wandered,
Looking in vain for the right;
Now in the evening we’ve found it:
Truth of the gospel light. [Refrain]
Back to the blessed old Bible,
Back at the Master’s call,
Back to the words of our Savior,
Loving, obeying them all.
Never in sects to be scattered,
Never again to do wrong;
Unity, holiness, heaven,
Ever shall be our song. [Refrain]
-Daniel Otis Teasley
Love, 
The Downing Family
