07/30/2021 – “Nunc Dimittis” sung by St. John’s Choir.
This is the third leg of a triad I have shared in praise music: “Magnificat”, “Benedictus”; and now “Nunc Dimittis”. A triad of daily liturgical prayers. Read on…
From wikipedia’s “Nunc Dimittis” for background:
“The Nunc dimittis[1] (/nʊŋk dɪˈmɪtɪs/), also known as the Song of Simeon or the Canticle of Simeon, is a canticle taken from the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke, verses 29 through 32. Its Latin name comes from its incipit, the opening words, of the Vulgate translation of the passage, meaning “Now let depart”.[2] Since the 4th century it has been used in services of evening worship such as Compline, Vespers, and Evensong.[3]
English (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.
The Nunc Dimittis is the traditional ‘Gospel Canticle’ of Night Prayer (Compline), just as Benedictus and Magnificat are the traditional Gospel Canticles of Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer respectively.[4] Hence the Nunc Dimittis is found in the liturgical night office of many western denominations, including Evening Prayer (or Evensong) in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer of 1662, Compline (A Late Evening Service) in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer of 1928, and the Night Prayer service in the Anglican Common Worship, as well as both the Roman Catholic and Lutheran service of Compline. In eastern tradition the canticle is found in Eastern Orthodox Vespers. One of the most well-known settings in England is a plainchant theme of Thomas Tallis.”
Soli Deo Gloria!