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The Song of Zechariah

Benedictus Dominus Deus

Luke 1: 68-79

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, *from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers *and to remember his holy covenant.

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

Free to worship him without fear, *holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

To give his 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.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.