Nunc Dimittis
St. Olaf Choirs And Orchestra Lyrics

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"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

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son
And to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning, is now
And ever shall be

World without end
Amen"

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Nunc Dimittis" are based on the prayer of Simeon from the Gospel of Luke in the Bible. Simeon was an elderly man who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple for his circumcision, Simeon recognized him as the Savior and uttered this prayer.

The first line, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace," expresses Simeon's gratitude and joy at finally being able to see the Savior before his death. He believes he can rest in peace, having fulfilled his purpose. The following lines speak of how Jesus is the salvation that God had prepared for all people, to be a light to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. The prayer concludes with a holy attribution of the Trinity and an affirmation of the everlasting nature of God's glory.

The song has been set to music by various composers throughout history, but in this particular version by the St. Olaf Choirs and Orchestra, it is performed as a choral and orchestral piece. The harmonies and textures are lush and stirring, reflecting the emotional weight of Simeon's prayer.

Line by Line Meaning

Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace
Allow me to leave this Earth in peace now, Lord

According to thy word
As you have promised in your holy scriptures

For mine eyes have seen
I have personally witnessed

Thy salvation
Your deliverance and salvation to all believers

Which thou hast prepared
That you have planned and made ready

Before the face of all people
In the presence of all humanity

To be a light to lighten the Gentiles
To bring illumination and guidance to non-Jewish people

And to be the glory of thy people Israel
And to be the honor and renown of the Jewish people

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son
Let us give praise to God the Father and His Son

And to the Holy Ghost
And also to the Holy Spirit

As it was in the beginning, is now
As it has been from the very start, it remains the same now