Zechariah's Benedictus
His speech restored at the birth of his son John, the priest Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied in song. The Benedictus - 'Blessed be the Lord God of Israel' - blesses God for visiting and redeeming his people, raising up a horn of salvation in David's house, and for the child who would go before the Lord to prepare his way. It hails the dawn of salvation breaking over a waiting people.
Key Passages
Blessed Be the Lord God of Israel
Luke 1:68-79
Zechariah blesses God for the coming redemption and the dayspring from on high that visits his people.
68lessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
Did You Know?
'Benedictus' is Latin for 'Blessed' - its opening word.
Zechariah sang it the moment his speech was restored at John's birth.
He had been struck mute for nine months for doubting the angel.
It hails the coming 'dayspring from on high' - the dawn of salvation.