Luke 1:46-55 And Mary said, My soul does magnify the Lord,… 1. Mary's instant devotion. She does not pause to return Elisabeth's greeting; she dues net wait to pass back the congratulation; she seems to think only of God above. 2. Her evangelic faith. She felt the need of a Saviour, just as much as any one else. A great word this, Saviour. Here first it appears in the New Testament; the word which the heathen orator said afterward he found on a tomb that he passed on one of his journeys, "Salvator, a new word, but very beautiful as it appears to me." 3. Her personal humility. How sweetly she says, "He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden." What was this Galilean damsel, poor and lonely now, that she should have been singled out for so exalted a lot? There is in her whole demeanour, during this pathetic part of her history, an unusual poise and serenity. She was not even frightened or abashed by the angel; she meekly received his announcement, neither overcome nor unduly elated in her prospects. As she acquiesced then, she sings now. 4. Her lofty ambition. Her heart rises to its supreme elevation. "From henceforth," &c. She is glad with her whole heart that the chance is going to be given her to become a blessing. She is peerlessly ambitious, not to De rich, prospered, honoured, famous, but — to do good. 5. Her voluminous praise. Mary makes each Divine attribute in succession record God's glory in a new light. Holiness, grace, power, justice, beneficence. 6. Her magnificent patriotism. She passes almost unconsciously from God's attributes to God's people. The finest thing in the Magnificat is this adoring ascription of praise to God for what He had done for her country and her race. "He hath holpen," &c. (C. S. Robinson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, |
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