Luke 2:29 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart, &c.— The word rendered depart, or dimiss, is generally used to express death; and joined to the word peace, signifies a happy and contented death. There may, perhaps, be an allusion here to the custom of saying, especially to an inferior when parting, Go in peace. See Ch. Luke 7:50. This good old man, having attained theutmost pitch of felicity, in the gratification of that which had always been his highest wish, and having no farther use for life, desired immediate death; yet he would not depart of himself; knowing that no man can lawfully desert his station, till dismissed by the sovereign Master who placed him there.