The Benedictus

The Benedictus

1. Background Note

   • The prayer said by Zechariah when he blessed God for his son, John the Baptist
   • Called the Benedictus, from the first word in Latin translation
   • It takes the form of a Messianic Psalm

2. First Stanza

   • "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people
   • The central message of the song is summarised in the above verse as it highlights the fufillmentof God's plan
   • The hymn blesses Yahweh for his saving act as he "...has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David" (v.69)
   • The covenant relationship has not been set aside. Prophetic declarations will come to pass
   • The people now look forward to the complete fufillment of all hopes and promises
   • We note how this opening stanza is full of O.T. quotations and reminiscenes, praising God for all he has accomplished in Salvation History
   • The reference to the oath God swore to Abraham (v.73), that in him Israel and all nations would be blessed is now coming to fufillment

3. Second Stanza

   • The second stanza sees the hope of the Old Testament Fathers at the dawn of fulfilment through the intervention of Zechariah's
   • "And you, child will be called the prophet of the most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people
   • This verse mirrors the O.T. expectations voiced by Dt.-Is. God will wondrously intervene to save his people. How?- Through Jesus Christ
   • John prepared the way by means of the gift of the knowledge of salvation. Salvation is accomplished by the forgiveness of sin
   • "To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace (v.76-77)

4. Concluding Point

   • The two main themes in this prayer are:
     • The fufilment of Israel's history
     • John's role in preparing the way of the Messiah