O Key of David and Sceptre of the house of Israel, who openest and no man shutteth, who shuttest and no man openeth: come and bring forth from his prison-house the captive that sitteth in darkness and in the shadow of death.*
For He hath regarded the lowliness of His handmaid; behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
For He that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is His name;
And His mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear Him.
He hath shown might in His arm, He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble.
He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent away empty.
He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy.
According as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.
*_A Short Breviary_, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN 1942
