Benedictus (Song of Zechariah in Latin)

The benedictus is recited or sung every morning during Lauds. In Latin, benedictus means blessed. Benedictus Dominus - Blessed be the Lord - are the opening words of the Canticle of Zechariah in the Bible:

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people. He has raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant, even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old: salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to show mercy to our fathers and to be mindful of his holy covenant and of the oath he swore to Abraham our father, and to grant us that, rescued from the hand of enemies, without fear we might worship him in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Luke 1:68-79).

Latin words of the benedictus

"Benedictus Dominus, Deus Israel,
 quia visitavit et fecit redemptionem plebis suæ,
 et erexit cornu salutis nobis
 in domo David pueri sui,
 sicut locutus est per os sanctorum,
 qui a sæculo sunt, prophetarum eius
 salutem ex inimicis nostris
 et de manu omnium,
 qui oderunt nos,
 ad faciendam misericordiam
 cum patribus nostris
 et memorari testamenti sui sancti,
 iusiurandum, quod iuravit,
 ad Abraham patrem nostrum,
 daturum se nobis,
 ut sine timore, de manu inimicorum,
 nostrorum liberati, serviamus illi,
 in sanctitate et iustitia coram ipso
 omnibus diebus nostris.

Et tu, puer, propheta Altissimi vocaberis :
 præibis enim ante faciem Domini
 parare vias eius, ad dandam scientiam salutis plebi eiusin remissionem peccatorum eorum,
 per viscera misericordiæ Dei nostri,
 in quibus visitabit nos oriens ex alto,
 illuminare his, qui in tenebris
 et in umbra mortis sedent,
 ad dirigendos pedes nostros in viam pacis."

(Find the French translation of the Benedictus)

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