The Nunc dimittis is a Christian canticle taken from the Gospel of Saint Luke, sung during evening services. It celebrates salvation and is often called the Song of Simeon. Many musicians have set it to music, and there are various translations in English.
The Nunc dimittis is a canticle that is sung by some Christian sects during evening services. A song is a hymn that is taken directly from the Bible; in the case of the Nunc dimittis, the canticle is taken from the Gospel of Saint Luke. Many musicians have set this chant to music, creating a variety of moods and versions, and it is generally considered a song of joy and an affirmation of faith.
The section of the Bible from which the Nunc dimittis comes documents the presentation of the infant Jesus in Jerusalem. God told a devout Jew named Simeon that he would not die until he saw the Savior; the canticle sings Simeon’s words upon seeing the baby Jesus. It begins with the phrase Nunc dimittis, servum tuum, “now you have dismissed your servant”, and continues with words of praise and joy.
As you can see, the name of this canticle is taken from the first two words of its Latin version. It can also, of course, be sung in English or other languages. The Nunc dimittis is a celebration of salvation and appears frequently in Anglican churches, sung in a variety of compositions. Some of the more elegant compositions are sung versions from the medieval period.
You may also hear the Nunc dimittis called Canticle or Song of Simeon, a reference to its main character. This particular canticle is extremely well known and is often quoted in works by Western authors who assume that people are familiar with the form of the Nunc dimittis.
As you can imagine, there are several translations of the Nunc dimittis into English. In the King James Bible, a widely used translation, it reads in full: “Lord, now let your servant go in peace, according to your word: for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before your face of all people; Light to enlighten the nations and glory of your people Israel”.
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