Canticle of Zechariah (Benedictus)

RESPONSE (Advent & General)
Hail to the Lord’s Anointed,
great David’s greater Son.

R
Blessed be the Lord
the God of Israel,
who has come to
set the chosen people free.

The Lord has raised
up for us
a mighty Savior from
the house of David.

Through the holy prophets,
God promised of old
to save us from
our enemies,
from the hands of
all who hate us;

to show mercy
to our forebears
and to remember
the holy covenant.

This was the oath God swore
to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the
hands of our enemies,

free to worship
without fear,
holy and righteous
in the Lord’s sight,
all the days of our life. R

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

to give God’s people
knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness
of their sins.

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

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