Luke 1:69

1:69 For he has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,

Luke 1:79

1:79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.”


tn Grk “and,” but specifying the reason for the praise in the psalm.

sn The phrase raised up means for God to bring someone significant onto the scene of history.

sn The horn of salvation is a figure that refers to the power of Messiah and his ability to protect, as the horn refers to what an animal uses to attack and defend (Ps 75:4-5, 10; 148:14; 2 Sam 22:3). Thus the meaning of the figure is “a powerful savior.”

sn In the house of his servant David is a reference to Messiah’s Davidic descent. Zechariah is more interested in Jesus than his own son John at this point.

sn On the phrases who sit in darkness…and…death see Isa 9:1-2; 42:7; 49:9-10.

tn Or “the path.”