Benedictus (Song of Zechariah)

Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist

Song of Zechariah, which speaks of the Messiah and his forerunner (John the Baptist).

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 Saviour,
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 - Amen

Zechariah asked for a sign authenticating the prophecy of the Archangel Gabriel, sent by God. Because of Zechariah's doubt he was made mute and was not able to speak until the day John the Baptist (Zechariah's son) was born. With the birth of John the Baptist, Zechariah was once again able to speak. His first words were a song of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord (the Song of Zechariah). See Luke 1:68-79