Benedictus Blessing

Tune: Yorkshire

('Christians awake, salute the happy morn')

Luke 1 v.67-79

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At John Baptist's birth Zacharias he

Spoke words of Benedictus prophecy

Said, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel

For He has visited, redeemed, I tell

His people, and has raised up as a horn

Strength of salvation, a new light of dawn

'Tis as he spoke by mouth of his holy

Prophets of old, since long as world has been

That we should be saved from our enemies

And from hand of all that hate us He frees

To perform the mercy promised to our

Fathers, it shall come to pass from this hour

To remember His holy covenant

The oath, promises to Abraham sent

That He would grant unto us, we being

Delivered from our enemies, now sing

And might serve Him without terror of fear

In holiness and righteousness here clear

Serving before Him through all our life's days

And you, son John, shall instruct us His ways

Prophet of the Highest, shall go before

To prepare the way of the Lord for sure

To give knowledge of salvation unto

His people by remission of sins, true

Through the tender mercy of our God near

The Dayspring, Dawn, has visited us here

To give light to them that sit in darkness

And the shadow death, light to them bless

To guide our feet into the way of peace

Messiah's kingdom, endless, ne'er shall cease