'A very seasonable form of prayer and praise': Deus Misereatur at Evensong

Continuing with extracts from John Shepherd's A Critical and Practical Elucidation of the Morning and Evening Prayer of the Church of England (1796), we turn to the Deus Misereatur at Evensong. Shepherd emphasises that rather than being a poor alternative for the Nunc Dimittis, and so to be avoided, Deus Misereatur's significant similarities with the Song of Simeon point to the unity of the covenants and the Gospel as the fulfillment of the hope of Israel:

Admitting this psalm to be prophetical of the Gospel dispensation, we shall discover a close affinity between it, and the preceding hymn. The psalm prays for that "saving health," which Simeon rejoiced to see; for the conversion of the nations, and for evangelical blessings. It likewise foretells the joy and gladness that shall accompany the more general diffusion of the knowledge of the Gospel of Christ.

What is more, the use of this psalm in Christian prayer also gives expression to the Apostle's vision of the Gentile church, as a wild olive tree, wert grafted in amongst" the olive tree that is Israel:

the Christian church may with propriety continue the use of this psalm in the daily offices, till "the fulness of the Gentiles is come in ..."

There is, in other words, a great richness in Deus Misereatur, a richness that is lost if it is simply banished as the poor relation of the Nunc Dimittis. That it follows the New Testament lesson is also particularly appropriate, again demonstrating how the hope and desire of Israel is fulfilled in Jesus, Son of David, Son of Abraham:

This salvation is made known to us by the voices of the apostles, which are heard in our churches every day and after we have learnt from the Epistles, how "the grace of God that bringeth salvation, appeared," and what it requires of us, the psalm Deus Misereatur, is a very seasonable form of prayer and praise.

We might also suggest that Shepherd's description of Deus Misereatur as "a very seasonable form of prayer and praise" has a particular meaning and resonance in this season of Advent. Saying Deus Misereatur during these days of Advent places the Church alongside the people of Israel during the long centuries of exile and defeat, of waiting and longing.