Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

This was one of our Communion hymns today, sung as the congregation proceeded to and from the altar.

The words are very old, from the Liturgy of St. James, from the 4th century. The tune is listed as a 17th century French folk song.

Notice the several words beginning with "v"........vesture, vanguard, veil, vanquish. Also, picture these in your mind's eye: "the six-winged seraph"......"cherubim with sleepless eye"......."rank on rank the host of heaven"......."Light of Light descending"......."realms of endless day". Quite the amazing images are conjured by this unhurried, majestic hymn!

Verse 1 urges us to "Ponder nothing earthly-minded". Is that possible, with our earthly minds?

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Verse 1:

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Let all mortal flesh keep silence

And with fear and trembling stand;

Ponder nothing earthly-minded,

For with blessing in his hand

Christ our God to earth descending

Comes our homage to demand.

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Verse 2:

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King of kings yet born of Mary,

As of old on earth he stood,

Lord of lords in human vesture,

In the body and the blood,

He will give to all the faithful

His own self for heavenly food.

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Verse 3:

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Rank on rank the host of heaven

Spreads its vanguard on the way

As the Light of Light, descending

From the realms of endless day,

Comes the powers of hell to vanquish

As the darkness clears away.

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Verse 4:

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At his feet the six-winged seraph,

Cherubim with sleepless eye,

Veil their faces to the presence

As with ceasless voice they cry:

"Alleluia, alleluia,

Alleluia, Lord Most High!"

AMEN

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Cyberhymnal link: www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/e/letallmf.htm