The Song of Zechariah (Benedictus Dominus Deus): Canticle 16 (metrical paraphrase)

1 Blessed are you O Lord our God:
you have come to your people and set them free.

2 You have raised up for us a mighty Savior:
born of the house of your servant David.

3 Through the voices of your holy prophets,
you have promised since the world began:

4 That you would save us from our enemies,
and from the hand of all who hate us.

5 You promised to show mercy to our forebears:
and to remember your holy covenant.

6 This was the oath sworn to our father Abraham:
that you would give us:

7 To set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship you without fear,

8 Holy and righteous in your sight
all the days of our life.

9 And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High:
for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare the way

10 To give God’s people knowledge of salvation:
through the forgiveness of their sins.

11 In the tender compassion of our God:
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

12 To shine on those who dwell in darkness, and in the shadow of death;
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

13 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be;
through all ages. Amen.