Benedictus Dominus Deus

Canticle based on Zechariah's hymn of thanksgiving at the circumcision of his son, John the Baptist (Lk 1:68-79). The hymn blesses God “who has come to his people and set them free,” and celebrates the prophetic ministry that John the Baptist will have as forerunner of the Messiah. It is also known as “The Song of Zechariah,” and it appears as Canticles 4 and 16 in the BCP (pp. 50, 92) for use at Morning Prayer. The table of Suggested Canticles at Morning Prayer (BCP, p. 144) lists it as the first option for use after the OT reading on Sundays as well as Feasts of our Lord and other major feasts. It is also one of three canticles that may be used at a burial as the body is carried from the church (BCP, pp. 484, 500). The ICET translation is used as the Rite 2 version of the canticle in the BCP. See John the Baptist; see International Consultation on English Texts (ICET).