MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron
We continue a series, "Introducing Jesus in the gospels", by looking at Luke 1:46-56, Mary's response to her relative Elizabeth's greeting. The song Mary sang has become known as The Magnificat, a combination of two Latin words meaning "to make great".
Some may find it surprising that a peasant girl from a small village would voice such a masterpiece of poetry and prophecy. Many of the words, however, come directly from psalms and other Jewish scriptures that Mary would have heard all her life. Also, through inspiration of the Holy Spirit, she honored God in song.
The literary style of The Magnificat demonstrates in poetic form a progression from personal praise to universal implications. Mary began with a spontaneous celebration of God and His actions (Luke 1:46-47). "'My soul exalts the Lord and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.'" With these phrases she declared His power, holiness, mercy, and faithfulness.
In the passage, we see similarities to the song of Hannah after her baby's birth (1 Samuel 1:11; 2:1-10). Hannah's poignant story in the Old Testament tells of a barren woman who prayed earnestly for a son. God honored her prayer, and she and her husband Elkanah named their baby Samuel, who later in life was the priest who anointed both Saul and David as the first kings of Israel. When Samuel was weaned, Hannah took the small boy to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. According to her vow, the parents gave him to the priest Eli, to raise him in the Lord.
Mary's song establishes a context of promises made and fulfilled, and shows awareness of her "humble state" of poverty, insignificance, and lack of social or political standing. But it also recognizes prophetically that she will be called "blessed". Hannah in 1 Samuel 2:1 utters praise to God for lifting her from barrenness and bringing deliverance.
God's attributes are acknowledged by both women: In Luke 1:49-50, Mary attributes her pregnancy to "the Mighty One". She further points out God's mercy for all who trust Him. Hannah in 1 Samuel 2:2-3 recognizes God as holy, dependable, and knowledgeable.
The focus of the songs then shifts to the justice of God. Mary's words: "'He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart'" (Luke 1:51). Hannah's were, "'The bows of the mighty are shattered, but the feeble gird on strength'" (1 Samuel 2:4). Mary projects back to things God had done in the past, and also ahead concerning the physical healings and spiritual ministry of Jesus (Luke 1:53-54).
Mary's song concludes with an acknowledgment that God has always "'given help to Israel ... as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever'" (Luke 1:54-55). Hannah prophesied a coming victory of God's plan, years before there were kings in Israel. "'The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; He will give strength to His king'" (1 Samuel 2:10).
Besides Hannah's song, the Magnificat contains other phrases and themes from Old Testament scriptures. Notable references come from the Psalms and reflect God's power, justice, and special care for the humble. Mary's opening line is similar to Psalm 34:1-3. Her phrase "scattering the proud" is similar to Psalm 89:10. Psalm 103:17 carries the concept that God will have mercy on those who fear [trust] Him. Psalm 107:9 speaks of the rich being sent away empty. A positive reversal of fortunes, described in the Magnificat as bringing down the mighty and lifting up the lowly, is a central theme.
Psalm 146 in particular is drawn on. "Who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free... opens the eyes of the blind ... raises up those who are bowed down ... loves the righteous ... protects the strangers ... supports the fatherless and the widow; but He thwarts the way of the wicked" (verses 7-9). Job 5:11 and 12:19 follow the same message.
Mary's song shows her rejoicing in the reality that the child she bore was fulfilling Old Testament prophecies from centuries before. Isaiah wrote of God's servant Jacob, descendant of Abraham, His friend (Isaiah 41:8-9). The book of Micah concludes, “You will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago" (Micah 7:20). The Magnificat directly links her Son's birth to those promises. "'He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever'" (Luke 1:54-55).
Words to Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3 conclude, "'in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed'". Mary pointed out in Luke 1:50 that God's love is inclusive. She was aware that God chose her, a poor and unknown girl, as the mother of the Savior. Similarly, she knew that God chose a poor, obscure, even despised nation, and she proclaimed that through Israel would come One who brings salvation to all the world. The highest and best hopes of this young maiden's song lift the humble, satisfy the needy, bring mercy to the suffering, and fulfill God's eternal promises.
