68 " Blessed be the Lord God of Israel , For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people , 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant - 70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old - 71 [1] Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES , And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US; 72 To show mercy toward our fathers , And to remember His holy covenant , 73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father , 74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies , Might serve Him without fear , 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days . 76 "And you, child , will be called the prophet of the Most High ; For you will go on BEFORE THE Lord TO PREPARE HIS WAYS ; 77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation [2]By the forgiveness of their sins , 78 Because of the tender mercy of our God , With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, 79 TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH , To guide our feet into the way of peace ." 80 And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit , and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 1:68-80
Commentary on Luke 1:67-80
(Read Luke 1:67-80)
Zacharias uttered a prophecy concerning the kingdom and salvation of the Messiah. The gospel brings light with it; in it the day dawns. In John the Baptist it began to break, and increased apace to the perfect day. The gospel is discovering; it shows that about which we were utterly in the dark; it is to give light to those that sit in darkness, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. It is reviving; it brings light to those that sit in the shadow of death, as condemned prisoners in the dungeon. It is directing; it is to guide our feet in the way of peace, into that way which will bring us to peace at last, Romans 3:17. John gave proofs of strong faith, vigorous and holy affections, and of being above the fear and love of the world. Thus he ripened for usefulness; but he lived a retired life, till he came forward openly as the forerunner of the Messiah. Let us follow peace with all men, as well as seek peace with God and our own consciences. And if it be the will of God that we live unknown to the world, still let us diligently seek to grow strong in the grace of Jesus Christ.