890 The Song of Zechariah (Benedictus Dominus Deus): Canticle 16 (metrical paraphrase)

1 Blessed are you O Lord our God: you have come to your people and set them free.

2 You have raised up for us a mighty Savior: born of the house of your servant David.

3 Through the voices of your holy prophets, you have promised since the world began:

4 That you would save us from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us.

5 You promised to show mercy to our forebears: and to remember your holy covenant.

6 This was the oath sworn to our father Abraham: that you would give us:

7 To set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship you without fear,

8 Holy and righteous in your sight all the days of our life.

9 And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High: for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare the way

10 To give God’s people knowledge of salvation: through the forgiveness of their sins.

11 In the tender compassion of our God: the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

12 To shine on those who dwell in darkness, and in the shadow of death; and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

13 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be; through all ages. Amen.