Hymn Desk
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Now the Silence

Now the silence, now the peace, now the empty hands uplifted

A contemplative Eucharistic hymn composed entirely of noun phrases beginning with Now the — creating a suspended moment of expectation before the Eucharist. The hymn captures the hushed anticipation at the approach of the sacrament: silence, peace, empty hands, kneeling, breaking, drinking, giving, love.

History & Background

Written by Jaroslav J. Vajda (1919-2008) in 1969. Published in Lutheran Worship. One of the most unusual and striking contemporary hymns — entirely without verbs, each line beginning Now the... The tune NOW is by Carl Schalk (b.1929).

Hymnal Appearances

  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 460
  • Lutheran Book of Worship — 205

Bulletin Note

Now the Silence — Jaroslav Vajda, 1969

Preaching Connection

The moment of eucharistic anticipation — the silence and peace before receiving Christ.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: human silence/inadequacy before God's holiness → Gospel grace of divine embrace, empowerment, and eschatological joy

Themes

Eucharist Silence Contemplation Vajda

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