Mary's Song

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 scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” Luke 1:46-55


In her great relief and joy at being with people who loved her and understood what was happening in her, Mary broke into a song of praise. This is often called "the Magnificat" from the Latin translation. It means "magnify" and is translated here, "glorify." This very young virgin knew a great deal about God and how He deals with His people. She knew of the ancient promises and of previous fulfillment throughout the history of Israel. She knew these things because they were recorded in the Old Testament scriptures, and because she had been taught these truths in her home. She knew about the promised savior, from Genesis chapter 3 all through the Old Testament. She knew He was to be born as a human baby, but seemed stunned that the one chosen to bear that precious life was to be herself, of "humble state." The KJV translated this "low estate." This word (olunthos) doesn't seem to mean "poor" or even necessarily self-effacing. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance translates the word used here as "unripe, out-of-season fig" and "out of due time." For this immaculate conception, it is my belief that Mary's youth and having just reached puberty (or had she?) was of major importance. Let me spell it out: there had been no sexual activity in Mary's life, and she knew God was "mindful" of that.

God had always provided for His Own. He had always promised a savior, through the line of David. Mary had been taught these things her whole life. Now, after 400 years of silence from God because of Israel's descent into idolatry, the time had arrived. Under the almost universal peace engineered by Rome throughout the civilized world, The Savior could be born and presented first to His people, and then to the whole world. Mary was young and tender, but she didn't just fall off the ox cart. She knew exactly what was going on here, and what great blessing God had bestowed upon His handmaiden.

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. Luke 1:56