Song of Zechariah

Definition and Meaning

The Song of Zechariah is the hymn recorded in the Gospel of Luke 1:68-79. It is also called the Benedictus ("blessed"), from the first word of its opening line in the Latin Bible (the Vulgate), "Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel" ("Blessed be the Lord God of Israel"). In Korean usage, the Catholic Church transliterates Zechariah's name differently and therefore uses a distinct Korean title for the song, which likewise means "the Song of Zechariah."

In addition to this song, the opening chapters of Luke contain the Song of Mary (1:46-55) and the Song of Simeon (2:29-32). The church groups these three together as the principal canticles of the New Testament.

The song falls into two parts. The first part (1:68-75) praises God for having visited and redeemed His people; to redeem means to set free by paying a price. This section celebrates God's raising up a horn of salvation in the house of David and His remembering the oath He swore to Abraham, recalling the Davidic covenant and the Abrahamic covenant. The second part (1:76-79) addresses the newborn child. It declares that he will be the prophet of the Highest who prepares the way of the Lord, and it proclaims that "the dayspring from on high" will give light to those who sit in darkness.

Biblical and Historical Background

Zechariah was a priest of the course of Abijah. While burning incense in the temple, he received from the angel Gabriel the news that a son would be born to him, but he did not believe and was consequently struck mute (Luke 1:5-22). After the child was born, Zechariah wrote the name "John" on a writing tablet, and his mouth was opened. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he then prophesied the words of this song (Luke 1:63-67). The child was John the Baptist, and the "dayspring" in the song has traditionally been interpreted as referring to Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

The medieval Western Church established this song as the canticle of Morning Prayer (Lauds) in the Divine Office, the cycle of prayers offered at fixed hours. After the Reformation, the Church of England likewise included it in Morning Prayer in the 1549 Book of Common Prayer. As a result, it remains part of the morning services of the Anglican tradition and of some Lutheran traditions today.

Practice in Korean Churches

• The Anglican Church of Korea recites or sings this song as a canticle in response to the Scripture reading in the order of Morning Prayer.
• The Catholic Church prays the Song of Zechariah daily at Morning Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours.
• Most denominations, including Presbyterian, Methodist, Holiness, Baptist, and Full Gospel churches, have no established practice of singing this song as a fixed part of the order of worship. It usually appears as a sermon text or in Christmas cantatas during the Advent and Christmas seasons. Churches that follow the church year and the Revised Common Lectionary (a list that assigns Scripture readings for each Sunday according to the church calendar) sometimes read it as the responsive text in place of the psalm, for example on the Second Sunday of Advent in Year C.