Scripture Verse

There was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon…just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel…it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law, then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel. Luke 2:25–32

Introduction

Words: At­trib­ut­ed to Mi­chael Bruce (1746–1767).

Music: York. Me­lo­dy from the Scot­tish Psal­ter, 1615. Har­mo­ny by John Mil­ton, Sr. (1562–1647) (🔊 pdf nwc).

Lyrics

illustration
Simeon with Jesus
Hendrick Bloemaert (1609–1666)

When Je­sus, by the vir­gin brought,
So runs the law of Heav’n,
Was of­fered ho­ly to the Lord,
And at the al­tar given;

Simeon the just and the de­vout,
Who, fre­quent in the fane,
Had for the Sav­ior waited long,
But wait­ed still in vain,

Came, Heav’n di­rect­ed, at the hour
When Ma­ry held her son;
He stretch­èd forth his ag­èd arms,
While tears of glad­ness run:

With ho­ly joy up­on his face
The good old fa­ther smiled,
While fond­ly in his wi­thered arms
He clasped the pro­mised Child.

And then he lift­ed up to Heav’n
An ear­nest ask­ing eye;
“My joy is full, my hour is come,
Lord, let Thy ser­vant die!

“At last my arms em­brace my Lord,
Now let their vi­gor cease;
At last my eyes my Sav­ior see,
Now let them close in peace!

The star and glo­ry of the land
Hath now be­gun to shine;
The morn­ing that shall gild the globe
Breaks on these eyes of mine!