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LET ALL MORTAL
FLESH KEEP SILENCE
(Note: we had
permission to print the text during Lent but have had to remove the
text after Lent. Refer to your hymnal for the text.)
If I were asked to
choose my favorite song in the Evangelical Lutheran Worship book, I
couldn’t. I would not be able to narrow it down to only one. Way too
many speak to me spiritually, emotionally and aesthetically.
But this hymn –
this worshipful meditation – would be close to the top of my list.
The words, fittingly matched with a hauntingly beautiful melody,
call me to consider just who it is (creator of the universes,
and more) that we call God! And to respond with worship … with
worship!
Some of my other
favorites are what are called “praise” songs. And yes! praise
to our God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is certainly called
for. Indeed it is probably inseparable from worship.
Other old favorites
contain important challenges to holy living or faithful service and
witness. I could go on and on. These emphases, and many others, are
important for the deepening of my faith and strengthening of my
discipleship. But the words of worship voiced in this hymn need to
literally infuse my very being – consciously and subconsciously –
every day of my life that, together with “the rank on rank” of
heavenly hosts, I might hold our God in awed adoration.
To realize the
astonishing truth that our God is also our heavenly Father – Abba,
Father (which some have said means “Daddy”) – is almost more than I
can handle. My response can only be an awed and heartfelt
worship! Thanks, praise and adoration!
And so, omnipotent,
high and holy God,
Beautiful Savior,
we worship and adore you,
“ALLELUIA!
ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA, Lord Most High”
Amen and Amen!
Wil Johnson
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