Once again we note that Luke is the only Gospel writer who includes what we’ve come to refer to as “the four nativity songs” or “canticles:” those of Mary (1:46-55), Zechariah (1:68-79), the angels (2:14), and Simeon (2:29-32). These have each come to be known by the opening Latin words in the 5th century Vulgate: Mary’s “Magnificat,” Zechariah’s “Benedictus,” the angels’ “Gloria,” and Simeon’s “Nunc Dimittis.” How wonderful to note that the same Jesus who is hailed in song in heaven right now (as we read in Revelation 5:12: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and power and honor and glory and blessing”) was hailed in song as His coming into the world in His incarnation.
This fourth of Luke’s “Nativity Hymns” is known by the opening words in Latin, “Nunc Dimittis,” which means “now depart.” That was the essence of the prayer offered by Simeon when he was privileged to see the infant Messiah. Though the Bible does not say that he sang this prayer, it is entirely possible to describe it as a song since, like Zechariah’s “Benedictus” and Mary’s “Magnificat,” all three bear the unmistakable characteristics of a Hebrew psalm with the poetic style of the lyrics.
There are many places in Scripture where we would like to have been given more details. What did Moses look like when he came down from Mr. Sinai? How big was the stone in David’s sling? What did the angel’s voice sound like in Isaiah’s ears? Was Daniel able to “pet” the lions in the den? How many angels appeared in the sky to the shepherds of Bethlehem? What did it look like to see the loaves and fishes multiplying as they were distributed? Such curiosity can lead (and has led) some to miss the important central truth in each incident. If we needed to know these things, God would have revealed them to us.