Nunc Dimittis. Giovanni Pierluigi Da Palestrina (1525 - 1594).

Text and Illustration from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,

unless otherwise stated.

Simeon’s Song of Praise.

Artist: Aert de Gelder (1645–1727).

Date: 1700 - 1710.

Current location: Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis,

The Hague, Netherlands.

Source/Photographer: Unknown.

This File: 18 December 2005.

User: Dedden.
References: Mauritshuis in detail, 

as Simeon's Song of Praise, circa 1700.
RKDimages, Art-work number 3185, as Opdracht in de tempel 

(Simeon en Anna) (Lucas 2:22-40), Early-18th-Century (1700-1710).

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Nunc Dimittis (also Song of Simeon or Canticle of Simeon) is a Canticle from a Text in the Second Chapter of Luke, named after its first words in Latin, meaning "Now you dismiss . . ." (Luke 2:29–32).

According to the Gospel of Luke, Simeon was a devout Jew who had been promised by the Holy Ghost that he would not die until he had seen the Saviour. When Mary and Joseph brought the baby, Jesus, to the Temple in Jerusalem, for the Ceremony of Consecration of the First-Born Son (not the Circumcision, but rather after the time of Mary's Purification, at least 40 days after the birth), Simeon was there, and he took Jesus into his arms and uttered words rendered variously as follows.

Palestrina's "Nunc Dimittis"

for Double-Choir.

Available on YouTube at

http://youtu.be/cTWECMo2olo.

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. 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 the 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.

Original Greek (Novum Testamentum Graece):

νῦν ἀπολύεις τὸν δοῦλόν σου, δέσποτα, κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου ἐν εἰρήνῃ·ὅτι εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου τὸ σωτήριόν σου,ὃ ἡτοίμασας κατὰ πρόσωπον πάντων τῶν λαῶν,φῶς εἰς αποκάλυψιν ἐθνῶν καὶ δόξαν λαοῦ σου Ἰσραήλ.

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.

English (Douay-Rheims, 1582):

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 (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.