Song of Simeon

Definition and Meaning

The Song of Simeon is a brief hymn of praise that Simeon offered to God in the Temple in Jerusalem as he held the infant Jesus in his arms (Luke 2:29–32). It is also called the Nunc Dimittis, from the opening words of the Latin translation, "Nunc dimittis" ("Now lettest thou depart"). The New Korean Revised Version renders the verse, "Sovereign Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word"; the King James Version reads, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word" (Luke 2:29).

The song takes the form of a servant asking leave to depart from his juje ("Sovereign Master"), the Lord who rules over all things. It is a confession that the promise that Simeon would not die before seeing the Messiah has been fulfilled. Simeon goes on to sing that this salvation has been prepared before all people, "a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel" (Luke 2:32). Christian tradition has read this passage as a declaration that salvation extends to the whole world.

Biblical and Historical Background

According to Luke 2, Joseph and Mary brought the infant Jesus to the Temple to carry out the rite of purification prescribed by the Law and to present their firstborn son to the Lord. At that time Simeon, a just and devout man, came into the Temple led by the Holy Spirit, took the child in his arms, and sang this song (for details, see Simeon and Anna). In addition to this song, Luke 1–2 contains the Song of Mary and the Song of Zechariah, and the three are commonly grouped together as the "Lukan canticles."

In the Western church, the song has been sung since the Middle Ages at Compline, the prayer that closes the day, because its content suits the idea of committing the day to God before going to sleep. The Church of England included it in Evening Prayer in the Book of Common Prayer. Martin Luther wrote a German hymn based on the song, and in the Lutheran tradition it is sometimes sung after Communion. The Eastern Orthodox Church sings it at Vespers.

Practice in Korean Churches

• Anglican Church of Korea: The Song of Simeon is included as a canticle in Evening Prayer in the prayer book, where it is sung or read.
• Catholic Church: Known as the "Canticle of Simeon" (Simeon-ui norae, using the Catholic Korean spelling of the name), it is prayed at Compline (Night Prayer) in the Liturgy of the Hours, the public prayer of the Church offered at appointed times.
• Lutheran churches: It is sometimes used as a canticle after Communion in services that follow the Lutheran tradition.
• Presbyterian, Methodist, Holiness, Baptist, Full Gospel, and other churches: The song is rarely used as a fixed element of worship. Instead, it is frequently taken as a sermon text around Christmas. Some churches read the words "now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace" at funeral services or at services for members nearing death.