Hymns of Hope for a Day of Sadness
What the songs chosen by the Queen for her funeral service say about God, the world, and you
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Introduction
Read more: IntroductionThe state funeral of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was remarkable. We paused to watch the scenes of pageantry and procession, and to hear our late Queen preach. What’s that? Oh, I know the Archbishop of Canterbury preached at the funeral service (you can see his sermon here). But in a way, the Queen…
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1. Hope that lasts
Read more: 1. Hope that lastsThe first hymn that was sung at Westminster Abbey was John Ellerton’s ‘The Day Thou Gavest Lord, Has Ended.’ Why do we say to each other that “nothing ever lasts forever”? It’s because the pattern of every day is hard-wired into our existence. We rise in the morning, we go about our business, and then…
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2. Hope that’s personal
Read more: 2. Hope that’s personalThe second hymn in the funeral service was ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’, sung to the tune of Crimond. This setting of the twenty-third psalm is a popular choice at funerals. But it was also sung at the wedding of the Queen and Prince Philip, in 1947. It is appropriate on both types of occasion, because…
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3. Hope in a new creation
Read more: 3. Hope in a new creationThe third hymn in the funeral service, and the final one at Westminster Abbey, was Charles Wesley’s ‘Love Divine, All Loves Excelling’. One of the most poignant moments on the day of the Queen’s funeral took place at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. During the committal, a sceptre, an orb and a crown were…
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4. Hope right here and now
Read more: 4. Hope right here and nowThe fourth hymn of the day, and the first one of the committal service at St George’s Chapel Windsor, was ‘All My Hope On God Is Founded’ by Joachim Neander. Throughout her ninety-six years of life, and seventy years reigning as monarch, the Queen saw more changes than most. For starters, she met thirteen American…
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5. Hope that isn’t misplaced
Read more: 5. Hope that isn’t misplacedThe final hymn sung at the Queen’s committal was ‘Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation’, translated from an early Latin hymn by John Mason Neale. Many of the themes of the previous four hymns are gathered up in this, the final hymn to be sung in the televised services on the day of the Queen’s…
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