Magnificat
After the angel visited, Luke records her simple commitment: "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said..." But then Mary is quiet... She heads to her relative Elizabeth where she stays for three months and, as I suggested in previous devotion, I am sure she had her tank filled by Elizabeth and Zechariah's godly presence.But when she arrived and unborn John danced, a similar explosion of joy happened in Mary and she burst forth in song!!!
General Comments about the song:
- The song is very Hebrew in its thinking and structure
- A large number of the phrases in it are taken from the Old Testament
- There is a big similarity to Hannah's song - with more personal introduction and application.
There are three strophes:
- Personal Experience:
Mary's joy is complete - it includes her soul and spirit: (Greek: Psyche and Pneuma) and this points to the totality of her being. She is also amazed and deeply appreciative of the undeserved grace and privilege of being used by God. - Victory in Reversal
Mary celebrates God's mighty deeds, but especially emphasises the idea of reversal: That the proud and powerful are brought down and the humble are lifted up. She rejoices that the hungry are filled and the rich leave empty. - Conclusion
Mary concludes with thought that God is a faithful, merciful and promise keeping God.
We find ourselves in tough circumstances where corruption has been rife and we see powerful people abusing their privileges. In these frustrating and demotivating times is good to remember and celebrate that God came into the world in all humility and simplicity. He mysteriously and wonderfully uses weakness to defeat strength, humility to dethrone arrogance and faithfulness to rescue his people.
So let's throw our heads back and sing songs of praise!
| And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; He has helped his servant Israel, |
