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He says, Now let me depart; he desires no delay. Many would rather say with the Psalmist, O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength before I go hence, and be no more seen. Grant me leisure to settle my affairs, to provide for my family, to examine my conscience, and to put myself in a condition to appear before Thee. But Simeon was not like others, who usually want to put off that evil day. If they could have their choice, there would be no period of life in which they would not have some plea to defer the payment of this debt to nature, and say to death, as the evil spirits said to Christ, Why art thou come to torment us before the time? How many of those pleas can the hopes and fears of vain men invent and set forth to the best advantage? Some would remonstrate that they are young, and that it is a sad thing to be taken off in the flower of their age; others, that they have children, and could wish to see them settled, and in a fair way of prospering; others, that they are engaged in undertakings useful to themselves and their families; others, that they hope to do considerable service to religion or to civil society, to the Church or to the State. Simeon is moved by none of these considerations: he desires not a respite and a reprieve to a distant day, not even to the morrow. Now, says he, let Thy servant receive his dismission.

(J. Jortin.)

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KJV: Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

WEB: "Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;