My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever. (Luke 1:46-55)
Background:
Luke begins his gospel with the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist. Zechariah and Elizabeth were both descendants of Levi. After the story of how Elizabeth became pregnant after many years of barrenness, Luke turns to introduce us to Mary, a young woman of Nazareth.
Mary was a virgin, a descendant of Judah, pledged to be married to Joseph, also a descendant of Judah. In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her that she would be with child. He told her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and that the baby she carried would be the Son of God. Rather than fear or anxiety, her reply was, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
After this, Mary went to visit Elizabeth who was a relative. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, we are told that John leaped for joy in her womb (Luke 1:44). Elizabeth said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke 1:42). As Elizabeth blessed her, Mary recited the following prayer/song.
The Prayer:
In this prayer, we learn a great deal about worship from Mary. Unlike those in Isaiah 29:13, who honored God only with their lips, Mary’s worship was internal and intense.
my soul magnifies the Lord (v. 46): This song is known as the Magnificat, which is the Latin word for magnifies. The Greek word is megaluno. It means to exalt, glorify, magnify, highly esteem, laud, or praise. This is the thought expressed by the psalmist when he writes, “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together” (Psalm 34:2-3). It is also reminiscent of Psalm 18:46; 57:5; 69:30; 97:9; 99:5; and 108:5.
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior (v. 47): Mary continues her exaltation, as she rejoices in God. It is significant that she acknowledges God as her Savior. Only sinners are in need of a Savior, thus the Roman Catholic view of Mary is dashed by her own words.
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant (v. 48): God quite often uses the lowly and humble in his plans, rather than the high and exalted. This too is reminiscent of Hannah’s prayer for a son when she prayed, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son” (1 Samuel 1:11). Mary acknowledges the sovereignty of God and his power to use those whom he will in the accomplishment of his plan. She was well aware of the fact that, as God’s creation, she was his servant.
all generations will call me blessed (v. 48): This is another passage that has been misinterpreted by the Roman church. Their belief is that, because Mary is blessed, she blesses others. Therefore, prayers are supposedly made through her to Jesus Christ. But, Mary here states that she is the one blessed; not the one who blesses. Interestingly, Jesus responds to such a comment during his earthly ministry. At one time, a woman cried, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” But Jesus said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:27-28).
for he who is mighty has done great things for me (v. 49): Mary was blessed, because God had chosen her to bear his Son. It was not because of anything she had done by or for herself. Again, It is when God chooses to bless his people that they are truly blessed.
and holy is his name (v. 49): Holiness is one of the attributes of God. It is who God is.
his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation (v. 50): Here Mary speaks of God as he spoke of himself. As he passed before Moses on Mount Sinai, God proclaimed his name saying, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Exodus 34:6-7). Earlier, when he gave the Ten Commandments, God spoke of idols and said, “You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments” (Exodus 20:5-6). Who are those who receive God’s mercy? It is those who fear and love him, for he is a gracious God, and his mercy is sufficient for his people.
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate (vv. 51-52): Throughout Scripture we read of God’s bringing down the haughty and exalting the humble. During his earthly ministry, Jesus spoke of the first being last and the last being first (Matthew 19:30; 20:16; Mark 10:31; Luke 13:30). Being merciful, God cares for the widow, the orphan, and those who are downtrodden. And, that is what Mary acknowledges here.
he has filled the hungry with good things (v. 53): Again, God cares for those in need. Not only does he provide for their needs, but he also often grants the desires of their hearts (Psalm 37:4). Every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17).
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever: God’s mercy is a special mercy. It is sovereign, in that he chose to bestow his mercy upon Abraham and his descendants. It is a covenantal mercy, as God entered into covenant with Abraham and his descendants. And, it is a benevolent mercy, as God cares for the hungry and exalts the humble.
Relevance:
God uses his people to accomplish his plan. And, God blesses his people as he uses them. Even the humblest of servants will be blessed as they realize that God’s sovereign plan involves them. God cares for his people – those who love and fear him. They will be exalted above their circumstances, and all things will, indeed, work together for their good (Romans 8:28).
