Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Lyrics
Paraphraser: Gerard Moultrie (1864)
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,
comes our homage to command.
2 King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords in human likeness,
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 from Light, descending
from the realms of endless day,
comes the pow’rs 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:
“Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, Lord Most High!”
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Hymn Story
This hymn, “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” is the English translation of a Greek text dating back to the fifth century. It is thought to have been written by St James the Less, first Bishop of Jerusalem.
It was originally called the Liturgy of St James. It is said that it was a prayer chanted during Holy communion.
The present text is a translation by Gerard Moultrie. Moultrie was born on 16th September 1829.
He went to study at Oxford University, Exeter College and graduated with a BA in 1851 and an MA in 1856.
After University he worked as Chaplain at Shrewsbury School, Dowager of Londonderry, and other places. He passed away on 25th April 1885.
Below are more hymns’ lyrics and stories:
As Thy Days Thy Strength Shall Be
Asleep in Jesus! Blessed Sleep
