📖 Biblical Definition
The Nunc Dimittis is the song of Simeon at the presentation of the infant Christ in the temple (Luke 2:29-32). The aged man, holding the child, declares: now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. It is the Christian household's evening canticle — the prayer of one ready to lay down the day in peace.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Simeon's song at the temple presentation of the infant Christ (Lk 2:29-32); the historic evening / compline canticle of the Daily Office.
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Simeon, an aged just and devout man to whom the Spirit had revealed he would not see death before seeing the Christ, took the eight-day-old infant in his arms and sang.
The song's threefold structure: a request to depart (v. 29), the basis (v. 30, ‘mine eyes have seen thy salvation’), and the revelation (vv. 31-32, ‘a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel’). Used in evening prayer or compline (night prayer) across historic traditions.
📖 Key Scripture
Luke 2:29 — "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word."
Luke 2:30 — "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation."
Luke 2:31 — "Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people."
Luke 2:32 — "A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often forgets Simeon; his canticle is the perfect evening discipline of the saint ready to lay down each day.
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Simeon's posture at the temple is a model. He had waited for the Christ; he had seen Him; he was now ready to depart. The canticle compresses a lifetime of expectation and a fulfilled vision into four short lines.
The household that sings or recites the Nunc Dimittis at the end of each day rehearses Simeon's discipline: at night, ready to lay down the day in peace; at the end of life, ready to depart in peace; mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Latin first words: Nunc dimittis — ‘Now lettest thou depart’.
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Latin nunc dimittis — now thou lettest depart.
Note: from dimittere, to send away, dismiss; the same verb behind ‘forgive us our debts’ (in some Latin renderings).
Usage
"Simeon's lifetime of expectation in four short lines."
"At night, ready to lay down the day in peace."
"At the end of life, ready to depart in peace; mine eyes have seen Thy salvation."