Justin Appel

Dear Friends in Christ,

The psalm appointed for today is Psalm 71. Those of you who watched the Coronation of King Charles last May will remember that at one point, Regalia was given to Charles by his peers. During an exchange of swords, a Greek Choir, directed by Alexander Lingas, sang Byzantine chant. This was a Greek setting of Psalm 71.

This part of the ceremony had been designed to “specially reflect His Majesty’s paternal heritage”—citing the fact that the Duke of Edinburgh had been a Prince of Greece.

This particular psalm is associated with King Solomon and by extension, with Christ, the Messiah and the “King of Peace.” Thus, in the Orthodox tradition, Psalm 71 is sung during the Nativity services.

The setting heard in the Ceremony incorporates a set of verses from Psalm 71, alleluias, and a Doxology:

Give the king your judgements, O God, and your righteousness to the son of a king. Then shall he judge your people righteously and your poor with justice. Alleluia.

May he defend the poor among the people, deliver the children of the needy and crush the oppressor. Alleluia.

May he live as long as the sun and moon endure, from one generation to another. Alleluia.

In his time shall righteousness flourish, and abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more. Alleluia.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen

O Lord, save the king and answer us when we call upon you.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Glory to you, our God, glory to you.

Watch the video of this moment in the Coronation Ceremony here.

Yours in Christ,

—Justin