Canticle of Simeon

The Nunc dimittis (/nʊŋk dɪˈmɪtɪs/; also Song of Simeon or Canticle of Simeon) is a canticle from the opening words from the Vulgate translation of the New Testament in the second chapter of Luke named after its incipit in Latin, meaning "Now you dismiss". (Luke 2:29–32). Since the 4th century it has been used in such evening worship services as Compline, Vespers, and Evensong.

According to the narrative in Luke, Simeon was a devout Jew who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. When Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem for the ceremony of consecration of the firstborn son (not of 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.