canticle of zechariah

Ant. Blessed be the Lord our God.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; * he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior, * born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old + that he would save us from our enemies, * from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers * and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: + to set us free from the hands of our enemies, * free to worship him without fear,

holy and righteous in his sight * all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; * for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

to give his people knowledge of salvation * by the forgiveness of their sins.

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

to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, * and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory be . . .

Ant. Blessed be the Lord our God.