The Book of Praise ‎#542

542. Let all mortal flesh keep silence

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 descending,
our full homage to demand.

2 King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of all, in human vesture,
in the body and the blood,
Christ will give to all the faithful,
his own self for heavenly 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 powers of hell to vanquish
as the darkness clears away.

4 At his feet the six-winged Seraph;
Cherubim with sleepless eye
veil their faces to the Presence
as with ceaseless voice they cry,
“Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, Lord most high.”

Text Information

• First Line: Let all mortal flesh keep silence
• Title: Let all mortal flesh keep silence
• Translator: Gerard Moultrie, 1829-1885 (alt.)
• Meter: 8 7 8 7 8 7
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1997
• Scripture:
  Habakkuk 2:20
  ;
  Ephesians 4:7-10
• Topic: Jesus Christ: Light of the World; Jesus Christ: Kingship / Reign; Jesus Christ: Incarnation; Sacraments and Ordinances: Communion
• Source: Liturgy of St. James
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: PICARDY
• Meter: 8 7 8 7 8 7
• Key: d minor or modal
• Source: French Traditional Carol
• Copyright: Public Domain