Mary, Part 3: The "Magnificat"

Soon, the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and she became pregnant with God’s Holy Son. It’s not at all surprising that Mary left home and went to see Elisabeth, a cousin who was expecting her own miracle child. Mary surely knew that Elisabeth would understand and believe her.

After Elisabeth’s greeting—and baby John’s enthusiastic leaping as well—Mary launches into her hymn of praise, known as the “Magnificat.” (Magnificat--"magnify"--comes from the sentence in medieval Latin, “Magnificat anima mea Dominum,” which is My soul doth magnify the Lord.)

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden:

for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath done to me great things;

and holy is his name (Luke 1:46-49).

Let’s look at the “Magnificat” more closely. Is it Mary-centered or God-centered? Mary’s emphasis is on God, what He has done, how she praises Him. It’s not portraying Mary as anything other than a willing vessel, used by God.

When Mary says she magnifies the Lord, this word Lord means “Messiah” and “Lord.” She was praising Jesus, her Lord! Then she says, God my Savior. Mary fully understood that this Child was the Son of God. She knew He was the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world. She also—this is very important—knew Him as her Messiah. She says, my soul, my Savior.

Why did Mary have a Savior? Why did she need a Savior? Because, Mary, like every other human being ever born, was a sinner. The Bible says all have sinned (Romans 2:23). That includes Mary. She recognized her need of a Savior, and she trusted in her Messiah to save her from her sins. She was looking forward to the redemption He would provide. She trusted Him in faith. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

In Old Testament prophecy, we know the Messiah:

            would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14)

            would be called Lord (Psalm 110:1)

            would be the Son of God (Psalm 2:7)

Mary was probably acquainted with these prophecies. And, she understood that she would play a huge part in their fulfillment. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name (Luke 1:49).

My soul doth magnify the Lord,

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.