BENEDICTUS. — The canticle that Zechariah pronounced at the birth of his son John the Baptist (Lk. 1:67–79), so named from the first word in the Latin version. It may be divided into two parts: the first (vv. 68–75) contains a hymn of praise to God: 1) for having already begun the work of redemption (vv. 68–69); 2) for His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises (vv. 70–75). The second (vv. 76–79) is devoted to the child, of whom it is said: 1) that he will be the precursor of the Messiah (v. 76); 2) that his office will be to announce the Messianic salvation (v. 77); 3) that the cause of this salvation is the mercy of God (vv. 78–79).
In substance, the B. is modeled on the prophecies of the Old Testament; however, it is strictly a prophecy only in vv. 76–77. Resemblances have been noted with the Jewish prayer known as the Sennōneh ‘ešrēh. The authenticity of the B. is tied to the historical value of the Gospel of the Infancy (v.). Its great antiquity is evident from its content, which does not dwell on describing the person of the Messiah or His human career.