Croydon Minster held a Choral Evensong yesterday to mark the Coronation of King Charles III. The choir sounded amazing as they sang Parry's setting of words from Psalm 122, filling the Minster with the acclamations "Vivat Regina Camilla! Vivat Rex Carolus!" The congregation also sang one of my favourite hymns, the words to which I have included below. My thanks to the Minster and all who were involved with the service.
1 O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:
2 Under the shadow of your throne
your saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is your arm alone,
and our defense is sure.
3 Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received its frame,
from everlasting you are God,
to endless years the same.
4 A thousand ages in your sight
are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.
5 Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
soon bears us all away;
we fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the op’ning day.
6 O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
still be our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home!
