Silent vs. Silence: some ramblings about how cool words are
(originally published Feb 23, 2021)
Sunday in church, I sang a beautiful song based on Habakkuk 2:20. (Praise the Lord for amazing musicians who followed my moody phrasing that was not on rhythm!) The main line of the chorus is…
“The Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence.”
Someone asked me why it wasn’t ‘silent’. And my gut knew why, but I had to spend a little time percolating to find the words to explain it.
‘Silent’ is an adjective. It describes someone or something. Whereas, ‘silence’ is a noun. It is a thing or idea of its own right. So a person or place can be silent, but silence can stand all on its own.
What’s more, ‘silent’ carries with it connotations of something missing, emptiness. “He fell silent.” We can all tell the point is what’s not there.
‘Silence’ however, holds the idea of being full, heavy, or satisfying. “Silence descended over the room.” Yes, we still recognize the absence of noise, but we feel the weight of it, sometimes smothering, sometimes comfortable.
In this case, that silence is heavy with awe, humility, and deep love.
The Lord is in His holy temple. Let us all stay here, dwelling in silence, resting in awe of Him and His amazing power and love.
Verse three of the song by Keith and Krystin Getty.
“Who can say in their hearts there is no God?
Whose arm is strong enough against Him?
He who dwells beyond all time and space,
And will judge with perfect justice.
For I speak too soon what I don’t know,
There things too wonderful to grasp.
It is He who is the first and is the last.”