What is Nunc dimittis?
[[File:Aert de Gelder - Het loflied van Simeon.jpg|thumb|right|''Simeon's Song of Praise'' by [[Aert de Gelder]], painted around 1700–1710.]] The '''Nunc dimittis''' is a hymn from the [[Bible]]. It was sung by [[Simeon the Righteous|Simeon]] when he saw the baby [[Jesus]]. The story told in the book of Luke was that Simeon, who was a [[Jew]], had been promised by the [[Holy Spirit|Holy Ghost]] that he would not die until he had seen Jesus. When [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] and [[Saint Joseph|Joseph]] brought the baby [[Jesus]] to the [[Temple in Jerusalem]] for the ceremony of consecration of the firstborn son, Simeon was there, and he took Jesus into his arms and said the words which are now known as the Nunc dimittis. He was saying to [[God]] that he could now die happily because he had seen the Saviour. The words of the Nunc dimittis have been set to music by many composers. In the [[Anglican Church]] they are traditionally sung at [[Evensong]]. The English words as found in the ''[[Book of Common Prayer]]'', 1662: :Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace : according to thy word. :For mine eyes have seen : thy salvation, :Which thou hast prepared : before the face of all people; :To be a light to lighten the Gentiles : and to be the glory of thy people Israel. ==Related pages== *[[Magnificat]] *[[Service (music)]] [[Category:Christian hymns]]