Lord God, Now Let Your Servants Depart in Peace

When Bruce Benedict sent out a call for communion songs, I had originally intended to write a whole set of songs that would work in communion and a communion liturgy. There lots of moments—“Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again,” for example—that are just begging to be sung. As I posted a few days ago, the main song I finished by the deadline was “O Lamb of God.” But I also completed a Nunc Dimittis: “Lord God, Now Let Your Servants Depart in Peace.” These words, said by Simeon upon seeing the child Jesus (Luke 2:29-32), were a profound response to answered prayer. They are also words that are appropriately sung by a congregation, who at the end of a worship service can proclaim that they have seen Jesus, the Light of the world.

As I told Bruce, of the two songs, I think the Nunc Dimittis is the stronger melody. It’s definitely the weaker recording. (I’ve grown to despise my own voice, and my piano playing is…wanting.) It’s also short enough that it could be awkward in a congregational setting, although it could work as a seasonal benediction song.

I offer it to you, my dear readers, for your evaluation: MP3, PDF.

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1 Response to Lord God, Now Let Your Servants Depart in Peace

  1. Pingback: Lord, Now Let Your Servants – piano | The Musical Diary of Greg Scheer

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