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The “Song of Zechariah” from Luke 1 is a magnificent hymn of praise and thanks to God for sending a Savior to deliver his people from oppression. Zechariah, the father of the newborn John the Baptist, sings this great hymn (called the Benedictus in Latin) out of a heart overflowing with faith and joy when God restores his speech after the child is born. In the second stanza, here sung by a soloist, Zechariah addresses his child directly, proclaiming that John will be the prophet – like unto the “prophets of long ago” – who goes before the Chosen One and prepares the hearts of the people to receive his message and his salvation. This anthem is available for both SAB and SATB voicings.