The Christmas Story From Luke's Gospel Part 4 A Song Of Praise Extolling The Goodness Of God

Mary's Holy Spirit inspired hymn of praise to God for all His abundant goodness.

Luke 1:46-47  And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47  And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 

This next paragraph is known as Mary's song of praise.

We find expressions of joy and praise, and God alone the object and center of the joy. 

Mary's song shares similarities with the song Miriam, sang, after the triumphant departure of Israel out of Egypt, and their safe passage through the Red Sea (See Exodus 15:1-21).

Mary's words magnified the Lord with expressions of praise to give all glory and honor to God.

The Spirit of God helped Mary to worship God with her whole heart.

She celebrated God like we should with our whole being, our thoughts, words and singing. 

This is the only way in which God can be magnified because nothing can be added to Him. 

God is infinite and eternal. 

Therefore the way we magnify Him is by singing hymns of praise with words from scripture that speak of the Lord.

Mary's soul magnified the Lord and her spirit rejoiced in God her savior.

Notice that Mary rejoiced in "God my savior" showing that she knew she was a sinner in need of salvation.

Psalms of praise are well suited for worshiping our Glorious God and Savior.

Psalm 34:1-3  A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2  My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3  O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 

David praised God for helping him at a crisis point in his life.

What did he do when God helped him?

He blessed God by kneeling down before Him with humility and gratitude and thanksgiving.

He determined to praise God with his lips at all times, singing with thanksgiving from his heart.

The idea of making his "boast" in the LORD means shining light upon God and His wonderful works, praising Him because He is worthy and glorying in Him.

What happened when David and Mary, or when you and I praise God in this manner?

Other people will see the change in us when we praise God and many will be drawn to Him.

This teaches us that our lives should be dedicated to praising and exalting our Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, whether we are working, studying, doing chores or shopping.

It is a major part of doing all things heartily as unto the Lord.

Psalm 103:1  A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 

Like King David, Mary is blessing and praising God for His holy name and righteous character as she reflected upon the benefits God poured out on her and Elisabeth.

Isaiah 12:2-3  Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 3  Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. 

The prophet Isaiah also extolled the goodness of God and found a new song and fresh strength as he thought about the salvation God brought to His people.

This is what is happening in the heart of Mary as the Spirit of God guided her praises and adoration to God.

Luke 1:48  For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 

The phrase "He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden"  literally means that God looked upon the low or humble condition of His handmaid. 

Even though Mary's family was poor and lacked status in some people's eyes, God bestowed favor or grace upon her.

God is not a respecter of persons, meaning that He is not influenced by wealth, honor, or status, (See Romans 2:11; 10:11-12). 

Isaiah 57:15  For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. 

God seeks those who are humble hearted and of contrite spirits so He may impart His rich blessings when they feel their need of Him.

Those who are contrite have been ground to dust by the trials and troubles of this life. 

Those who are humble have been brought low by the circumstances of life.

Yet, when we face hopeless conditions and can think of no way out of our predicament, that is when we must call out to God.

He will revive our heart and spirit and He will dwell with us when we trust Him.

This seems to reflect the very spirit in which Mary said "He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden."

Luke 1:49  For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. 

As God fills her with His goodness, Mary empties herself to Him in praises. 

As she sinks into her own nothingness, she confesses that God is sufficient for all her needs.

God's name is holy because He is holy, righteous, just and true.

Luke 1:50  And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. 

God's lovingkindness manifests itself in acts of mercy to all who fear or reverence his name. 

His love, grace and mercy continue from generation to generation, because He is abundant in goodness, and delights in mercy. 

God delights in the salvation and happiness of all His creatures, because His name is mercy, and His nature love (See Exodus 34:1-8).

Luke 1:51  He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 

The idea of God showing strength with his arm  reminds us that God’s strength is represented by His finger, His great power by His hand, and His omnipotence by His arm. 

The plague of lice was by the finger of God, (See Exodus 7:18). 

The plagues in general were wrought by His hand, (See Exodus 3:20).

The final destruction of Pharaoh’s host in the Red Sea, demonstrating the omnipotence of God, was called the act of His arm, (See Exodus 15:16).

This is the nature of true worship and contemplation of God. 

It does not stop in thinking of God’s mercy toward ourselves. 

It progresses to think of His mercy toward others, and praises God that others receive His mercy, and that His goodness is manifested to all His works.

Luke 1:52  He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 

Mary was guided by the Holy Spirit to speak prophetically.

This saying looks forward to the final destruction of the kingdom of Satan and his allies, and the final triumph of the kingdom of Christ.

Luke 1:53  He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 

Mary's words "He hath filled the hungry with good things" are a celebration of the general mercy of God. 

He has daily fed the poor, the needy, and those who came to Him with humble hearts.

While the poor come to Him for a supply of their daily needs, the rich come with lofty hearts, and insatiable lust that their riches may be increased. 

Proverbs 23:4  Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5  Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. 

When this is the case, God often withholds what they ask, and He takes their riches away by fire, or flood, or disappointments, and sends them away emptyhanded. 

Psalm 37:16  A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

Proverbs 15:16  Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

It is better to be poor and go to God for our daily bread, than to be rich and forget our dependence on Him, and to seek only a great increase of our property.

This is why we are taught that godliness with contentment is great gain (See 1 Timothy 6:6-10).

Luke 1:54  He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 

Israel is here represented as falling, and the Lord comes speedily in and props him up. 

The house of David was ready to fall and rise no more but Jesus was born as the last branch of the royal line, and revived the family, and restored the dominion.

Luke 1:55  As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. 

God has dealt mercifully with the children of Israel, according as He promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 

The promise of Messiah was about to be fulfilled and the salvation God promised through the seed of the woman was coming to pass just as He said in His Word.

The words "As he spake to our fathers" point back in time to David, of whom Mary was a descendant.

It looks back to Jacob, or Israel, of whose stock she was, and to Isaac, in whom the seed was to be called. 

Finally, this praise song looks back to Abraham and  his seed for ever.

This is not speaking of Abraham's biological offspring but his spiritual seed among believing Jews and Gentiles.

God promised to give those who repent and believe a Saviour and Redeemer, and this a the center of the Christmas story.

Elisabeth filled the air with Holy Spirit given praises followed by Mary's song of praise.

What wonderful worship happened in that obscure place in a far away country long ago.

Luke 1:56  And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. 

This part of the Christmas story ends with Mary staying about three months with Elisabeth before she returned to her home in Nazareth.

What does this narrative teach us about God?

First, it reminds us that we should choose to live our life as a continual song of praise to God. 

Psalm 100:4-5  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. 

Psalm 150:6  Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. 

Second, it reminds of of God's omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence such that He is faithful and able to do all that He promises to do in His Word.

Third, it reminds us that true worship is God centered, Christ elevating and flows from scripture truths.

Last, it reminds us to live as pilgrim passing through this life because there is a land we are longing for where God says those who trust His Son can dwell with Him forever.

Bob