Song of Simeon (Liturgics 1 paper)

It has been a while since I posted anything from the Seminary, and there will be a "Mail Call" soon.  But until then, here's a copy of a newsletter assignment from Liturgics class.  We each selected a portion of the Divine Service to write on, as if we were writing an article for the church newsletter teaching about our selection.   I chose the nunc dimittis, the Song of Simeon.

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The Nunc Dimittis, also known as the “Song of Simeon” holds an interesting place in our worship services.

Traditionally the Nunc Dimittis was sung as part of the evening prayer services of Vespers and Compline and for the funeral service.  The use of this song as a post-communion canticle is a uniquely Lutheran practice, though one with a clear purpose.

The title of the canticle comes from two words in the first line from the Latin version: “now depart.”  Its use in end-of-day service and at funerals seems quite obvious, requesting a peaceful departure.

The song is recorded in the second chapter of Luke, when Christ is brought to the temple for circumcision.  There a man named Simeon, who is a mystery other than what is recorded in this encounter, is waiting for Him.  We do not know who Simeon is, where he came from, or what his station in life had been.  All that is known for certain is that God revealed to him that he would see the Messiah before he died.  The common assumption is that he was an older man, perhaps even elderly like Anna, who is also mentioned in the account.  An obscure tradition in the Eastern Orthodox Church considers Simeon to be one of the translators of the Old Testament, who was told of the Messiah while he was translating Isaiah chapter 7.  Or perhaps he was a younger man, who would not only prophecy about what the Christ would do, but would live to see it.  The Scriptures are silent on the identity of Simeon.

What is clear are his words: “Now release Your servant in peace, master, according to Your word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You prepared in the presence of all the peoples, a light for revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel.”  (Luke 2:29-32, translation mine)

He had been waiting, serving, faithfully with the unseen hope of the Messiah.  Having now seen Him, even as an infant, Simeon was ready for whatever the Lord had for him next.  He knew that this Child, the Light of the World, who would reveal God to all the nations, was the glory of God now returned to the temple.

Simeon’s song of departure, of willing dismissal from service to God, is perfectly at home in end-of-day and end-of-life services.  Much like Luther’s evening prayer, the Nunc Dimitis asks God for a peaceful departure from our labors, having been satisfied in God’s protection and providence.

Simeon’s song is such a complete confession of faith in God’s promised Messiah that his song is used in all five settings of the Divine Service in the Lutheran Service Book, though Setting Five does note the two included alternate canticles, hymn numbers 937 and 938.

Having been invited to partake in the wedding banquet on this side of eternity, and having seen His majesty, we conclude with a simple and joyful request for God to, by His will, send us on our way.  It is for these reason that the song is fitting for the end of the Service of the Sacrament.