Queen Elizabeth II A Christian Superlative
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The purpose in adding this page is to remember the life of Queen Elizabeth II, who embodied humility, courage, service, duty, confidence, and, above all, Christian character.
My mother thought a lot of the Queen, and often spoke of her Christian character and love of others, regardless of race, gender, or station in life.
I was deeply moved to hear one tribute by the Member of Parliament who represents South West Devon, who spoke of the Queen's faith in Christ, and I thought it appropriate to share that here, as well as other tributes, and music she loved, some of which was sung at her funeral service. -J.Hughes
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In 1952, Dad preached a sermon using the Queen's coronation as an illustration:
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King Charles III, delivers an address to the nation:
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The Servant Queen and the King She Served
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"The memory of the righteous is a blessing." (Proverbs 10:7)
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Yesterday, I watched a broadcast from St. Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney, Australia, on Leadership, which was timely, considering the late Queen passing. I believe it is relevant and worth sharing with you:
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From a service of prayer and reflection, Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff, Wales (Images and Music, Courtesy of Llandaff Cathedral)
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From the sermon by Rev. Andrew John:
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From an earlier service in a church in Wales, the congregation singing "Guide me, O thou Great Jehovah" with words in English and Welsh on the screen, courtesy of the BBC:
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Many, but unfortunately not all, Southern Baptist pastors made mention of the Queen's Christian faith in recent sermons. Yet, many Baptist evangelists and pastors, too numerous to mention on this page, noted the Queen's personal faith in Jesus Christ.
The Southern Baptist Convention did not overlook this major event concerning the Queen, who was a devout Christian and testified to that fact. The SBC sent a team over to London to witness and do personal evangelism to those who had come to mourn the Queen.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary graduate, Thomas West was instrumental in starting a new church in the heart of London to reach the lost for Jesus Christ. The story appeared in Baptist Press:
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Rev. Franklin Graham issues statement concerning the Queen:
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Westminster Abbey organist Peter Holder rehearsing. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA
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Some information about the pipe organ, courtesy of Westminster Abbey:
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Sacred music consisting of anthems and hymns, highlighted the service which emphasized Queen Elizabeth's devotion to God and her personal faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
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A devout Christian, with no hint of scandal, and a monarch whose authority included serving as head of the Church of England, Elizabeth II’s funeral included several sacred hymns and choral pieces. At St. George's Chapel, the committal service opened with the choir singing Psalm 121, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills," which was said to be among the late monarch's favorites.
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'All my Hope on God is Founded' A product of the Protestant Reformation, “All my Hope on God is Founded” was composed by the short-lived yet prolific hymn-writer Joachim Neander in 1680, originally with the German name “Meine Hoffnung stehet feste.”
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'Christ is made the sure foundation' The hymn “Christ is made the sure foundation” derives its existence from the Medieval Era, composed by an unknown author in Latin during the seventh century and later translated by John Mason Neale in the 19th century. “Neale’s original translation has been altered significantly for today’s hymnals, and the flowing plainsong melody has been replaced by the stately tune Westminster Abbey composed by the famous English composer Henry Purcell,” explained C. Michael Hawn, professor at Southern Methodist University.
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'The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended' Commonly used at evening services, “The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended” was written in the 19th century by John Ellerton, a minister of the Church of England. “This inspiring and uplifting melody sets the lyrics in motion for an ever flowing waltz of affectionate love. These are no mere words of a self focused individual, but from the soul of a person devoted and affectionate to the One true God,” wrote theologian Simon Peter Sutherland. “They ascribe to God the honor and praise as the One who gave the sinner the gift of each day and night. The knowing that God hears the praises of His people. They give thanks to Him continuously for His provision and building of His Church.”
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'The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not Want' Based off Psalm 23, which is one of the most famous biblical passages in popular culture, “The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not Want” was written in the 17th century by Francis Rous. According to Andrew Remillard, the tune most associated with the hymn, known as Crimond, was added in the 1870s, or more than 200 years after the text was penned. “It is named after the Crimond Church in the Aberdeenshire town of Crimond. It was composed by Jessie Irvine, who was the daughter of the pastor,” Remillard explained. “David Grant later re-harmonized it for her. Grant served on a committee which was charged with assembling a new hymnal of metrical psalms and hymns. It was published in 1872 and was very successful with sales exceeding 70,000 copies.”
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'The Russian Kontakion of the Departed' Commonly performed during funerals as a way to remember one’s own mortality, “The Russian Kontakion of the Departed” traces its origins back several centuries to the Orthodox Church. The word “Kontakion” derives its origin from the Greek word for “pole,” as in the pole that was used to roll up a scroll, according to The Sun. The somber choral piece was used at the funeral of Prince Philip, the late husband of Queen Elizabeth II who died in April 2021 at the age of 99.
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'Sheep May Safely Graze' Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1713 and also known as The Hunting Cantana, “Sheep May Safely Graze” is yet another song loosely based off of the popular Psalm 23 passage. “Written for the thirty-first birthday of Duke Christian of Saxe-Weissenfels, the cantata was performed as a surprise at a banquet at the ducal hunting lodge, and it’s full of flattery,” noted the blog Art & Theology.
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'Schmücke dich, O liebe Seele' Written by Johann Sebastian Bach, “Schmücke dich, O liebe Seele” is a popular choral piece rendered as “Adorn yourself, O dear soul” or “Soul, adorn thyself with gladness” in English. A choral prelude, it is traditionally performed during Holy Communion, with influence for the song reported to have come from the work of Bach's predecessor Johann Crueger.
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Additional hymns and anthems, favorites of the Queen, some sung at the funeral and committal services:
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THE CONVIVIUM SINGERS from London, United Kingdom MY SOUL THERE IS A COUNTRY, Hubert Parry (1848-1918).
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The beautiful Psalm 121 expresses our hope and trust in God’s goodness and faithfulness through the whole of life.
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