The Temple Medley
Arranged by Ashenfox


LET ALL MORTAL FLESH KEEP SILENCE
(5th century liturgy, tr. Moultrie/French carol)

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.

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!


HOW LOVELY IS THY DWELLING PLACE
(17th c. psalter, C. Daw, Jr./Bain, arr. Blankenship)

How lovely is Thy dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts, to me!
My thirsty soul desires and longs
Within Thy courts to be;
My very heart and flesh cry out,
O living God, to Thee.

Beside Thine altars, gracious Lord,
The swallows find a nest;
How happy they who dwell with Thee
And praise Thee without rest,
And happy they whose hearts are set
Upon the pilgrim's quest.

One day within Thy courts excels
A thousand spent away;
How happy they who keep Thy laws
Nor from Thy precepts stray,
For Thou shalt surely bless all those
Who live the words they pray.