1:69 For 1 he has raised up 2 a horn of salvation 3 for us in the house of his servant David, 4
1:79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, 5
to guide our feet into the way 6 of peace.”
1 tn Grk “and,” but specifying the reason for the praise in the psalm.
2 sn The phrase raised up means for God to bring someone significant onto the scene of history.
3 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.”
4 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.
5 sn On the phrases who sit in darkness…and…death see Isa 9:1-2; 42:7; 49:9-10.
6 tn Or “the path.”