God is in His Temple... A Communion Hymn... If I've Ever Heard One.

Habakkuk 2:20, "The LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him."

Pr. B Ball was speaking about silence... but, in the midst of his sanctified silence when he was hearing the words of Habakkuk I had a flashback of this hymn from my youth.  I remember sitting in the pew singing this hymn and waiting for my parents to return with that smell of alcohol on their breath.  I also remember silence as we sat through the space/time between hymns and verses.  The hymns had many more verses and we'd sing 3-4 then pause in silence.  The old organist always seemed to pause in that silence for a very long time.  I can clearly hear the words of the pastor.

Take, eat; this is the true body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, given into death for your sins. May this strengthen and preserve you in the true faith unto life everlasting!

Take, drink; this is the true blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, shed for the remission of our sins. May this strengthen and preserve you the the true faith unto life everlasting!

Depart in Peace.   (The Lutheran Hymnal, The Order of Holy Communion, p. 28)

 

And all that there is to be "silent" about is here in this hymn.

• "God Himself is present"
• "All within keep silent"
• "Humbly kneel before Him"
• "Holy, Holy, Holy"
• "Fount of every blessing, purify my spirit"
• "Trusting only in Your merit"

There's a sermon in this hymn. 

 

 

"God Himself Is Present"

by Gerhard Tersteegen, 1697-1769
Translated by Frederick W. Foster, 1760-1835
Lutheran Service Book, 907 (Text and Tune: Public Domain)

God Himself is present:
Let us now adore Him
And with awe appear before Him.
God is in His temple--
All within keep silence,
Humbly kneel with deepest reverence.
He alone On His throne
Is our God and Savior;
Praise His name forever.

God Himself is present:
Hear the harps resounding;
See the hosts the throne surrounding!
"Holy, holy, holy"--
Hear the hymn ascending,
Songs of saints and angels blending.
Bow Your ear To us here:
Hear, O Christ, the praises
That Thy Church now raises.

Fount of every blessing,
Purify my spirit,
Trusting only in Your merit.
Like the holy angels,
Worshipping before You,
May I ceaselessly adore you
Let Your will Ever still
Rule Your church terrestrial
As the host celestial.