This time the Epistle is 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 and the Gospel is Mark 7:31-37, the healing of a deaf-mute, which involved Jesus spitting, sticking his fingers in the man's ears and touching his tongue with a finger (possibly moistened with spittle) before groaning the Aramic word "Ephphatha," meaning "Be opened!" My original tune for this hymn is titled EPHPHATHA, but really there are loads of existing tunes that would suit.
The deaf hear Scripture read;
The slow of speech His praises tell;
His voice revives the dead.
He has done all things well!
It must indeed be He
Whom God would send to conquer hell;
The words and signs agree.
He has done all things well,
Yet deigns to use mere spit!
His fingers need no magic spell
His promise to transmit.
He has done all things well!
His word in all its forms
The pow’rs of earth must far excel,
Such marvels to perform!
He has done all things well!
If bonds of ear and tongue
His “Ephphatha” can so dispel,
What chains will not be sprung?
He has done all things well!
This confidence is ours:
In His new testament we dwell,
Served by His Spirit’s pow’r.
He has done all things well!
On Him alone we build,
And shall all other spirits quell
Till we with Him are filled!
He has done all things well!
No glory can transcend,
Nor ear can hear, nor tongue can tell
What Christ to us extends.
For He is working still,
Preparing us a place
Where we, all fetters broken, will
Both hear and speak His grace.
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