Simeon's Song (Nunc Dimittis)

Illustration of Simeon's Song (Nunc Dimittis)
Promised he would not die before seeing the Messiah, old Simeon took the infant Jesus in his arms and prayed, 'now let thy servant depart in peace.'

Simeon was a devout man in Jerusalem to whom the Holy Spirit had promised he would not die before seeing the Lord's Christ. When Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple, Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed God, saying, 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.' Known by its Latin opening as the Nunc Dimittis, his song recognizes Jesus as a light to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel, and has been prayed by the church for centuries as an evening and departing prayer.

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Details

Category
Worship & Praise
Prayed by
Simeon

Key Chapters

Luke 2 The Birth of Jesus 7 min read

Key Passages

Now Lettest Thou Thy Servant Depart

Luke 2:25-32

A25nd, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lordโ€™s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Explore Related

Characters

Simeon Simeon was a righteous and devout man living in Jerusalem who was guided by the Holy Spirit and hadโ€ฆ Mary (Mother of Jesus) Mary, a young virgin from Nazareth, was chosen by God to conceive and bear his Son Jesus through the powerโ€ฆ Jesus Jesus is portrayed in the Bible as the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah whose coming fulfilled Oldโ€ฆ

Places

Jerusalem Jerusalem stands as the ancient capital of Israel and holds profound religious importance as a holy cityโ€ฆ

Themes

Worship From Abel's offering to the elders casting crowns before the throne, worship is humanity's highest purposeโ€ฆ Gratitude Only one of ten healed lepers returned to say thank you. That moment captures a universal truth inโ€ฆ Joy Joy in Scripture is not happiness that depends on circumstance - it is a deep gladness rooted in Godโ€ฆ

Did You Know?

1

Simeon was promised he would not die before seeing the Messiah.

2

He sang it holding the infant Jesus in the temple.

3

It is known as the Nunc Dimittis, Latin for 'now you let depart.'

4

It calls Jesus 'a light to lighten the Gentiles.'