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Versions
Original Greek (Novum Testamentum Graece):
- Νυν απολύεις τον δούλον σου, Δέσποτα, κατά το ρήμα σου εν ειρήνη,
- ότι είδον οι οφθαλμοί μου το σωτήριόν σου,
- ο ητοίμασας κατά πρόσωπον πάντων των λαών,
- φως εις αποκάλυψιν εθνών και δόξαν λαού σου Ισραήλ.
Latin (Vulgate):
- Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:
- Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum
- Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:
- Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.
- Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace;
- Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,
- Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:
- A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
English (The Divine Office):
- At last, all-powerful Master, +
- you give leave to your servant *
- to go in peace, according to your promise.
- For my eyes have seen your salvation, *
- which you have prepared for all nations,
- the light to enlighten the Gentiles, *
- and give glory to Israel, your people.
English (King James Bible)
- 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;
- A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
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.
English (Common Worship):
- Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
- your word has been fulfilled.
- My own eyes have seen the salvation
- which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
- A light to reveal you to the nations
- and the glory of your people Israel.
English (New Revised Standard Version of the Bible):
- Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
- according to your word;
- for my eyes have seen your salvation,
- which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
- a light for revelation to the Gentiles
- and for glory to your people Israel.
Musical settings
Many composers have set the text to music, usually coupled with the Magnificat, as both the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis are sung (or said) during the Anglican service of Evening Prayer according to the Book of Common Prayer. The Nunc dimittis is sung or said during the Roman Catholic Compline service, the Eastern Orthodox Vespers, and the Anglican Night Prayer service (in Common Worship) as well. One of the most well-known settings in England is a plainchant theme of Thomas Tallis.
Literary settings
In conclusion to section two (The Queen of Air and Darkness), chapter six of T. H. White's The Once and Future King, the wise necromancer Merlyn recites the first few passages of the Nunc Dimittis in response to King Arthur's declaration of chivalry. Establishing a code in which those who enter his league of chivalry must swear an oath to use their might only for the purpose of good, Arthur has fulfilled Merlyn's expectations as a pupil and thus Merlyn is released from voluntary servitude as Arthur's mentor and tutor. Reciting the nunc dimittis determines the fact that Merlyn has instructed his pupil successfully and could be no more proud of his judgment and character in relation to his establishment of the code of chivalry.
The account has been rendered powerfully in poetic form by T. S. Eliot in A Song for Simeon
- "...Before the stations of the mountain of desolation,
- Before the certain hour of maternal sorrow,
- Now at this birth season of decease,
- Let the Infant, the still unspeaking and unspoken Word,
- Grant Israel's consolation
- To one who has eighty years and no to-morrow..."
References
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