NUNC DIMITTIS

The first words in Latin of the Song of Simeon, “ Lord , now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,” appointed as one of the hymns to be used after the second le on at even-song. It was used in this place in the most ancient times. It is found in the Apostolical Constitutions. And even at the present day this hymn is repeated at evening prayer in the patriarchate of Constantinople. The hymn occurs in the Latin office for compline, from which, and from the vesper service, our office of Evening Prayer was compiled. After the second evening le on out of the Epistles of the holy apostles, this hymn is most commonly used. The author of it is supposed to be that holy doctor whom the Jews call Simeon the Just, son of the famous Rabbi Hillel, a man of eminent integrity, and one who opposed the then common opinion of the Me iah’s temporal kingdom. The occasion of composing it was his meeting Christ in the temple when he came to be offered there, wherein God fulfilled his promise to him, that he should not die till he had seen the Me iah: taking Jesus therefore in his arms, inspired with joy and the Holy Ghost , he sang this “Nunc dimittis:” and though we cannot see our Saviour with our bodily eyes as he did, yet he is, by the writings of the apostles, daily presented to the eyes of our faith; and if we were as much concerned for heaven, and as loose from the love of this world, as old Simeon was, and as we ought to be, we might, upon the view of Christ in His holy word by faith, be daily ready to sing this hymn; which was indited by the Spirit , recorded in holy writ, and is adopted into the public service of all Christian Churches, Greek and Latin, Reformed and Roman, and used to be sung in extraordinary by divers saints and martyrs a little before their death.— Dean Comber. This hymn, called from the Latin beginning of it “Nunc dimittis,” expre es the gratitude of good old Simeon, “a just man and devout,” as we read in St. Luke ii. 25–32, “and waiting for the consolation of Israel; to whom it was revealed that he should not die till he had seen the Lord’s Christ .” Accordingly, “he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus , he took him up in his arms, (image to yourselves the scene, I beg you,) and ble ed God , and said, Lord , now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,” that is, in comfort, “according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared” to set “before the face of all people.” And the following sentence hath a strong appearance of being designed by the Holy Ghost to intimate, (whether the speaker of it perceived the design or not,) that, contrary to the expected and natural order of things, Christ should first “be a light to lighten the Gentiles;” then, afterwards, “the glory of God’s people Israel.” To perceive the fitne of Simeon’s thanksgiving for our use, it needs only to be remembered, and ever should in repeating it, that we also “have seen the Lord’s salvation.” For though we have not yet beheld our Saviour with our bodily eyes, to that of faith he is exhibited continually in the gospel history and sacraments: we may meet him in his Church; we may converse with him in our private meditations. And this we should think happine enough for us here, whatever else we want or suffer; and be always prepared, and always willing, to “ble God ,” and “depart in peace.”— Abp. Secker. This hymn comes very properly after the second le on, which is always taken out of the New Testament, wherein is contained and delivered to us that gospel, the enjoyment and participation of which is the ground and foundation of the whole hymn. It should be added, that this hymn is addre ed to God ; and since it may be used as the personal addre of every devout Christian, no one should repeat it after a carele manner; but consider to whom it is repeated, and utter the whole after a suitable manner.— Dr. Bennet.