he Benedictus is the name commonly given to the song which Zechariah prophesies in Luke 1:68-79. Zechariah speaks of God’s great plan and how it is about to be fulfilled in Israel. It’s a biblical theological song, meaning it tells us about where we are in God’s story of salvation.

Below the fold is a setting of the Benedictus in Common Metre. It was written to be sung to Lyngham, a beautiful tune often used with “O, for a thousand tongues to sing.”

Blest be the Lord of Israel
For he has set us free,
And raised on high a Saviour King
A prince of David’s line.

His prophets spoke his promised plan:
Our enemy destroyed!
His mercy shown through all the world.
His covenant upheld.

He swore on oath to Abraham
To free us from our foe,
So we might serve him unafraid
For always, purified.

You, child, shall have a prophet’s task,
To make the Lord’s way plain,
For he will save his people’s lives
Forgiving all their sins.

God’s mercy brings the rising sun,
Whose light shines on the dark,
To lead us out from death to life,
And guide our feet to peace.