Mary's Song (Luke 1:39-56)
My soul magnifies the Lord.
My spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.
Because He has regarded the afflicted state of his servant.
See, from now on all generations will call me blessed,
because the Mighty One has done great things for me.
His name is Holy,
and his mercy is for generations upon generations of those who fear Him.
He has shown might with his arms.
He has scattered those who are proud in the thought of their hearts,
and exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent away empty those who have become rich.
He has taken the part of Israel, his servant,
in remembrance of his mercy—
just as He spoke to our fathers—
to Abraham and his descendants forever.
Mary visits her kinswoman, Elizabeth, following the announcement of the angel. Presumably, along the journey, Mary reflected on the message of the angel and composed poetic praise in response. Encountering Elizabeth, the six-month-old baby in her womb jumps for joy at the recognition of the Messiah, already in Mary. Elizabeth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, acknowledges Mary’s importance and the identity of the baby she is carrying. Mary’s response is her song.
In the song, we see humility and wonder, and joy at what God has chosen to do in her. When she refers to herself as a servant, we can also read here a declaration about Israel. Just as in the Exodus, God has seen his people and stepped into history once again.
We see aspects of the name, and therefore the character of God. He has mercy for those who fear Him, generation to generation. He also does not tolerate the proud and self-aggrandized. He scatters the earthly powers set up against Him. He helps the hungry and lowly. He remembers and fulfills his promises.
My spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.
Because He has regarded the afflicted state of his servant.
See, from now on all generations will call me blessed,
because the Mighty One has done great things for me.
His name is Holy,
and his mercy is for generations upon generations of those who fear Him.
He has shown might with his arms.
He has scattered those who are proud in the thought of their hearts,
and exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent away empty those who have become rich.
He has taken the part of Israel, his servant,
in remembrance of his mercy—
just as He spoke to our fathers—
to Abraham and his descendants forever.
Mary visits her kinswoman, Elizabeth, following the announcement of the angel. Presumably, along the journey, Mary reflected on the message of the angel and composed poetic praise in response. Encountering Elizabeth, the six-month-old baby in her womb jumps for joy at the recognition of the Messiah, already in Mary. Elizabeth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, acknowledges Mary’s importance and the identity of the baby she is carrying. Mary’s response is her song.
In the song, we see humility and wonder, and joy at what God has chosen to do in her. When she refers to herself as a servant, we can also read here a declaration about Israel. Just as in the Exodus, God has seen his people and stepped into history once again.
We see aspects of the name, and therefore the character of God. He has mercy for those who fear Him, generation to generation. He also does not tolerate the proud and self-aggrandized. He scatters the earthly powers set up against Him. He helps the hungry and lowly. He remembers and fulfills his promises.
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