Canticle of Simeon — Luke 2:29-32

The prayer the Church says every night before sleep.

An old man had been promised he would not die before seeing the Messiah. When Mary and Joseph brought the infant to the Temple, he took the child in his arms and said this. The Church repeats it every night at Compline.

The Canticle

Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord,
according to Thy word in peace;

because my eyes have seen Thy salvation,
which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:

a light to the revelation of the Gentiles,
and the glory of Thy people Israel. Amen.

The Antiphon at Compline

Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake;
watch over us as we sleep,
that awake we may keep watch with Christ,
and asleep, rest in His peace.

About This Canticle

The text is Luke 2:29-32, given here in the Douay-Rheims. It is the prayer of a man who is ready to die because he has seen what he was waiting for — which is why the Church puts it in our mouths at the end of every day. Every night is a small rehearsal, and every morning an unearned reprieve.