It has been said that if something is worth saying the first time, it is worth repeating. To believer’s in Christ, I repeat myself in today’s post as we observe Mary in Scripture. What an example to the New Testament believer in letting the Word dwell in you richly!
MARY’S SONG OF PRAISE
DECEMBER 21, 2016
After Mary’s visit from the angel Gabriel and during her visit with Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s mother, Mary exalted the the Lord.
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify (to make great) the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden [female bond (willing) slave]: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed (count me happy).
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy (set apart) is his name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He hath holpen (helped) his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
Luke 1:46 – 55
Mary’s song is full of Old Testament Scripture. It contains parts of approximately two dozen Old Testament passages in these nine verses.* John MacArthur lists the passages in the notes of his NKJV Study Bible and he summarizes her song as follows:
Mary’s Magnificat is filled with OT allusions and quotations. It reveals that Mary’s heart and mind were saturated with the Word of God………….These verses also contain numerous allusions to the law, the psalms, and the prophets. The entire passage is a point-by-point reciting of the covenant promises of God.*
What Mary’s song reveals about her is that she is a willing and obedient servant unto the Lord God. She is trusting in God’s promises of provision for her own sin. Mary is trusting in God her Saviour and she is happy!
Mary is the Old Testament equivalent of a New Testament Spirit filled believer. She knows God’s Word and she let’s it dwell in her richly. The result is humility and obedience.
Her response to the angel Gabriel in verse 38 is; Let it be to me according to your word. This should be the prayer of all believers ; Let it be unto me, O Lord, according to your (written) Word.
Note: Although Mary’s song reveals much about her, her song is really all about God.
…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life) in you richly…
Word definitions are from W.E. Vines Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, Copyright 1984, 1996, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN.
*Notes on Luke 1:46-55 taken from the MacArthur Study Bible NKJV – Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.