The Magnificat
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
“You only pretend to love your Prince if you do not desire to see Him the universal ruler. Your piety is worthless unless it leads you to wish that the same mercy that has been shown to you may bless the whole world.” – C.H. Spurgeon
This past Sunday, I preached on Luke 1:46-55, otherwise known as “The Song of Mary” or “The Magnificat”. The latter phrase “Magnificat anima mea Dominum” comes from the Latin translation of verse 46, where Mary says, “My soul magnifies the Lord.”
Of the many things that Mary praised the Lord for in her “song” were (1) her salvation; (2) His regarding her lowly state; and (3) His blessing her by granting her the privilege of giving birth to the Messiah. Mary was so overwhelmed by God’s goodness to her – a simple Jewish “maidservant” – that she couldn’t help but praise His name over and over again from the very depths of her soul (vs. 46) and spirit (vs. 47).
Mary praised God with her innermost being (psuche in the Greek) because He was her Savior (sotare). That means that Mary wasn’t divine; on the contrary, she was a sinner in need of a Savior, just like us. However, she didn’t just receive God’s salvation; she rejoiced in it… and so should we.
Likewise, Mary was amazed that God would notice her, let alone choose her for such a monumental task. The Greek word for “regard” is epiblepo, which is translated as “to gaze at with favor”. Can you imagine that? God gazed at Mary with favor… and He looks at you and me in the same way.
That’s why our hearts should leap out of our chests in praise, adoration, and thanksgiving to God every chance we get. And yes, we should be anxious to tell everyone we meet about our loving, merciful, and benevolent God so they can know Him too.
Here is how Charles Spurgeon described what our attitude should be like…
“Can you look upon this miracle of miracles, the death of the Son of God, without feeling within your heart a marvelous adoration that language never can express? And when you feel the blood applied to your conscience and know that He has blotted out your sins, you are not a man unless you jump from your knees to cry, ‘May the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen, and Amen!’”
“For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.” Luke 1:49 (NKJV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
