Nunc dimíttis servum tuum, Dómine,
secúndum verbum tuum in pace:
quia vidérunt óculi mei salutáre tuum,
quod parásti ante fáciem ómnium populórum:
lumen ad revelatiónem géntium,
et glóriam plébis tuæ Israël.

„Nunc dimittis“, or also called „The Canticle of Simeon“.

Found in St. Luke’s Gospel 2:29-32, is the last in historical sequence of the three great Canticles of the New Testament, the other two being the Magnificat (Canticle of Mary) and the Benedictus (Canticle of Zachary). All three are [called], by way of eminence, the „Evangelical Canticles“. The title [„Nunc dimittis“] is formed from the opening words in the Latin Vulgate: „Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine“,(„Now you dismiss your servant, O Lord“…

The circumstances under which Simeon uttered his song-petition, thanksgiving, and prophecy are narrated by St. Luke 2:21-35. The words following those quoted above, „according to thy word in peace“, are explained on Luke 2:26: „And he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.“

Brief though the Canticle is, it abounds in Old Testament allusions. Thus, in the following verses, “Because my eyes have seen your salvation” (Luke 2:30) alludes to Isaiah 52:10, later echoed by Luke 3:6: “And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Verse 31, “Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples” (Luke 2:31), accords with Psalm 98:2 (Psalm 97:2 in the Vulgate numbering): “The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.” And verse 32, “A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel” (Luke 2:32), recalls Isaiah 42:6: “I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations.”