A HYMN FOR TODAY

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 descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.

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.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.

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!,

8.7.8.7.8.7. – Liturgy of St. James, 350

tr. Gerard Moultrie, 1864

Tune: PICARDY – French Folk Melody

arr. C. E. Couchman, 2011

#175 in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, 2012