Luke 1:51-55 – The Magnificat (2)

In this second half of Mary’s song of praise, she shifted her attention from her personal reasons on why God deserved all the praises to what God would do for his people. In verses 51–54, the actions of God are all put in the past perfect tenses. “He has done mighty deeds … He has scattered … He has brought down … has lifted up … He has filled … but has sent … He has helped.” If we look at the Old Testament, all these were in fact foretold by the prophets of old. And they were things that God had already done for Israel in the past.

Like Elizabeth, Mary too had a dream and it’s in fact the ancient dream of Israel. Her desire was for all that the prophets had proclaimed and prophesied to come to pass. In this second part of her incantation, she expressed that desire more explicitly. Her dream that one day the God of Israel would fulfill all that He had said to His people: that the nations on earth will be blessed through the family of Abraham.  God would at last break the power that had kept the world in slavery and bondage. So that people who are hungry, poor and enslaved and miserable could share the promised blessing of God. With her thoughts riveted on all that God had done for Israel in the past, Mary now projects those thoughts into the future, to the work of the Son who would soon be born to her.

This song is Mary’s passionate praise for God. She knew that for her to be where she was right then was a God given privilege and honor. And as she looked across history to all that God had done, she felt led to let out a prophetic word. So she proclaimed in this Magnificat, the freedom that God’s Son, whom she had the privilege to bear, would bring to the world. At the heart of this song is a call to celebrate God - the holy, merciful and faithful God. Let Him be the reason why we celebrate life!