Song of Simeon

Representative Text

1 Now may your servant, Lord,
according to your Word,
depart in exultation.
My peace shall be serene,
for now my eyes have seen
your wonderful salvation.

2 O Lord, you did prepare
for people ev'rywhere
a Light for revelation,
and radiant glory shall
the gloom of death dispel
for Israel, your nation.

Source: Trinity Psalter Hymnal #295

Versifier: Dewey Westra

Dewey D. Westra (b. Holland, MI, 1899; d. Wyoming, MI, 1979) was a dedicated educator, writer, and musician who faithfully served the Christian Reformed Church. He attended Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Wayne State University in Detroit. In the 1920s and 30s he was a Christian school Principal in Byron Center and Detroit, Michigan. During the 1940s he was involved in various ventures, including becoming a diesel instructor for the Ford Motor Company. After 1947 he became a principal again, serving at Christian schools in Sioux Center, Iowa; Randolph, Wisconsin; and Walker, Michigan. Westra wrote poetry in English, Dutch, and Frisian, and translated poetry into English from Dutch and Frisian. He arranged many songs and composed… Go to person page >

Notes

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Luke 2:29-30
st. 2 = Luke 2:31-32

Recorded in Luke 2:29-32, Simeon's song is the final (fourth) "great" canticle in Luke 1-2 (see also 212, 213, and 214). This song of joy and peace is part of the gospel account of the presentation of Jesus in the temple, involving first Simeon and then Anna (w. 21-40), who express thanks that salvation in Christ is for Jew and Gentile alike. Simeon's song is often called the Nunc Dimittis, after its incipit in Latin. Dewey Westra (PHH 98) versified the text in Detroit in 1931 for the 1934 Psalter Hymnal; it was revised slightly for the 1987 edition.

The Nunc Dimittis has traditionally been paired with the Magnificat for Vespers or evening services and is still sung daily in churches with a tradition of daily prayer services (see 247 for more information on this tradition). John Calvin used it at the end of the Lord's Supper. In the Scottish Kirk, if communion was served at both services, Psalm 103 would be used at the end of the morning Lord's Supper and the Song of Simeon at the end of the afternoon or evening Lord's Supper.

Liturgical Use:
Suitable as a hymn for dismissal, especially after the Lord's Supper, and during Epiphany, since it brings to focus the worldwide character and task of the church. Also appropriate for funerals.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1988

Tune

NUNC DIMITTIS (Bourgeois)

Louis Bourgeois (PHH 3) composed NUNC DIMITTIS for the Song of Simeon; the tune was first published in the 1547 edition of the Genevan Psalter. Claude Goudimel (PHH 6) wrote the harmonization in 1564 with the melody originally in the tenor voice. Some Christian denominations associate this tune with…

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Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #216
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Instances

Instances (1 - 6 of 6)
Text InfoTune InfoTextScoreAudioPage Scan

Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #216

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The Presbyterian Hymnal #605

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Psalms for All Seasons #1029

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Lift Up Your Hearts #935

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Trinity Psalter Hymnal #295

Santo, Santo, Santo #111

Include 2 pre-1979 instances
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