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Simeon's Nunc Dimittis

Illustration of Simeon's Nunc Dimittis

Taking the infant Jesus in his arms in the temple, the devout Simeon blessed God in a brief, luminous song: 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace... for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.' He hailed the child as 'a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.' The church has prayed his song for centuries as an evening and departing prayer.

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Key Passages

Now Lettest Thou Thy Servant Depart

Luke 2:25-32

Simeon, holding the infant Jesus, sings that his eyes have seen salvation - a light to the Gentiles.

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.

Did You Know?

1

'Nunc Dimittis' is Latin for 'now you let depart.'

2

Old Simeon sang it holding the infant Jesus in the temple.

3

He had been promised he would not die before seeing the Messiah.

4

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