"Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence," ELW 490 (Click to view the hymn text below.)
The voice of God is best heard when I keep silent and listen. In the silence, a still, small voice echoes in the head with sounds of splashing waters as God opens the heavens saying, "This is my beloved Son." In the silence, the Word made flesh enriches the heart with bread and wine saying, "Do this in remembrance of me." In the silence, the clanging of pounding nails in the body is pierced with the cry "It is finished." In the silence, the grinding of a rolling gravestone resounds in the soul with angels' alleluias—He is risen! When I listen, the voices of heavenly creatures teach me new words of praise. When I listen, my small voice harmonizes with songs of people lifting holy hands in awe. When I listen, I can hear the Lamb on the throne of God saying, "Let everyone who hears, 'Come...'" (Revelation 22:16)
Blessing, glory, power and might be to you, ever-living God of hope and joy. Alleluia, Lord most High. Amen.
Betsy Dartt
Greenfield Lutheran Church, Harmony, Minn.
Master of Divinity, 1981 |
"Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence," ELW 490
1 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 descend comes full homage to demand.
2 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 heav'nly food.
3 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 powe'rs of hell to vanquish, as the darkness clears away.
4 At his feet the sinx-winged seraph, cherubim with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the presence, as with ceaseless voice they cry:
"Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia, Lord Most High!"
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