Invitatorium

The invitatory 'Regem Martyrum Dominum' establishes Christ as sovereign over those who die for him, drawing from Apocalypse 17:14 where he is 'King of kings.' The genitive 'Martyrum' (of martyrs) indicates possession - they belong to him by right of both creation and redemption through blood. At Matins, beginning the Night Office in darkness, this antiphon frames all subsequent psalmody as the prayer of those who, like Christ in Gethsemane, watch through the night awaiting their own passion. The martial imagery recalls 2 Timothy 2:3-5 where Paul exhorts Timothy to suffer as a 'good soldier of Christ Jesus.'