The Song of Mary
Many scholars have portrayed Mary as an ignorant peasant girl with little understanding of the Scriptures. But Mary’s song of praise reveals that she had studied the Scriptures. Why is this important? Because Mary would be the teacher for the little boy Jesus. It was important that her home would be one of worship to God filled with knowledge of God’s Word, love, thankfulness and praise. All of these, the mother Mary was able to do.
Proof of this is in Mary’s song, one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded. It reminds us of the Psalms and many other songs in the Old Testament. Mary is the first theologian in the New Testament, blending dozens of Old Testament Scriptures into a few verses to praise, honor, and testify to God’s plan of redemption.
There are scores of Scriptures that are alluded to in Mary’s song. You will find that you have a miniature history lesson of the Old Testament as well as a picture of God’s faithfulness to His people all in Mary’s song.
Mary’s song follows the pattern of the other famous songs in the Old Testament. The songs follow a pattern of praise, adoration, ascribing magnificence to God, thankfulness for salvation, a history of how God has always saved His people, and a hope and belief in God’s promise for the future.
You can see the similarity in Mary’s song to other songs in the Old Testament. Here is a list for you to look up: Song of Moses (Exodus 15:1-18); Song of Miriam (Exodus 15:20, 21); Song of Deborah (Judges 5:1-31); Song of Hannah (I Samuel 2:1-10). We will refer to many of these songs in this post below.
Turn to Luke 1:46. Filled with the Holy Spirit and rejoicing in God’s goodness Mary sang:
My soul magnifies the Lord,
Hannah – “My heart exults in the Lord.” (I Samuel 2:1)
Moses – “I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted” (Exodus 15:1).
Miriam – “Sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted” (Exodus 15:21)
Deborah – “Hear, O kings; give ear, O rulers! I – to the Lord, I will sing, I will sing praise to the Lord, the God of Israel.” (Judges 5:3)
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
“My heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation” (Psalm 9:14; 13:5; 35:9; 48:11; 68:3; 97:1; 149:2)
Isaiah – “I will rejoice greatly in the Lord; My soul will exult in my God” (Isaiah 61:10)
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
Hannah –
“For though the Lord is exalted, Yet He regards the Lowly” (Psalm 138:6)
“For thus says the high and exalted One… I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit.” (Isaiah 57:15)
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
“How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust” (Psalm 40:4)
“How blessed are all those who long for Him.” (Isaiah 30:18)
“And she (Elizabeth) cried out with a loud voice, and said, ‘Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. … And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.’” (Luke 1:42, 45)
(Why is Mary going to be called “Blessed”? Note the word is “blessed” not “bless-ed”. She is the one who has received the blessing. Why? Read on.)
For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
“Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the Lord, or can show forth all His praise?” (Psalm 106:2)
“The Lord has done great things for us; We are glad.” (Psalm 126:2)
“Do not fear, O land, rejoice and be glad, for the Lord has done great things.” (Joel 2:21)
And holy is His name.
“And give thanks to His holy name.” (Psalm 97:12; 105:3)
“Holy and awesome is His name.” (Psalm 111:9)
“Our Redeemer, the Lord of hosts is His name, the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 47:4)
And His mercy is on those who fear Him
“’I will surely have mercy on him, declares the Lord.’” (Jeremiah 31:20)
From generation to generation.
“Thou, O Lord, wilt keep them; Thou wilt preserve him from this generation forever.” (Psalm 12:7)
“The counsel of the Lord stands forever; The plans of His heart from generation to generation. …. I will cause Thy name to be remembered in all generations; Therefor the people will give Thee thanks forever and ever.” (Psalm 33:11; 45:17)
“Thou, O Lord, dost rule forever; Thy throne is from generation to generation.” (Lamentations 5:19)
He has shown strength with His arm;
“Splendor and majesty are before Him; Strength and joy are in His place.” (I Chronicles 16:27).
“I love Thee, O Lord, my strength.” (Psalm 18:1)
“With the saving strength of His right hand” (Psalm 20:6; 21:1; 28:7; 31:4; 37:39; etc…)
“For the Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2).
“The mountains quaked at the presence of the Lord,” (Judges 5:5)
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Hannah – “Boast no more so very proudly; Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth.” (I Samuel 2:3)
“Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him; And tread down the wicked where they stand.” (Job 40:12)
“Rise up, O Judge of the earth; Render recompense to the proud.” (Psalm 94:2)
“Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.” (Proverbs 16:5)
“For the Lord of hosts will have a day of reckoning against everyone who is proud and lofty.” (Isaiah 2:12)
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
“Now it came about at midnight that the Lord struck all the first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of Pharaoh who sat on his Throne to the first born of the captive who was in the dungeon…” (Exodus 12:29)
“And I will overthrow the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations” (Haggai 2:22).
And exalted the lowly.
“He sets on high those who are lowly” (Job 5:11)
“Yet He regards the lowly” (Psalm 138:6)
“I dwell on a high and holy place and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit” (Isaiah 57:15)
He has filled the hungry with good things,
Hannah – But those who were hungry cease to hunger. … He raises the poor from the dust.” (I Samuel 2:5, 8)
“For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, and the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.” (Psalm 107:9)
“Who executes justice for the oppressed; Who gives food to the hungry.” (Psalm 146:7)
And the rich He has sent away empty.
Hannah – “Those who were full hire themselves out for bread” (I Samuel 2:5)
“Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich, …. For when he dies he will carry nothing away” (Psalm 49:16, 17).
“… his eyes were not satisfied with riches” (Ecclesiastes 4:8)
“But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.” (Proverbs 28:20)
He has helped His servant Israel,
Moses – “The Lord is a warrior; The Lord is His name. … Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.” (Exodus 15; 3)
Miriam – “The horse and his rider He has hurled into the sea.” (Exodus 15:21)
Moses – “So Israel dwells in security, …. Blessed are you, O Israel; who is like you, a people saved by the Lord?” (Deuteronomy 33:28, 29)
In remembrance of His mercy,
I am the Lord your God, etc……..
“The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works.” (Psalm 145:9)
Referring to Israel and God’s dealing with them:
“In His love and in His mercy, He redeemed them; and He lifted them and carried them all the days of old.” (Isaiah 63:9)
“’Therefore My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, declares the Lord.’” (Jeremiah 31:20)
“Let those who love Him be like the rising of the sun in its might.” (Judges 5:31)
As He spoke to our fathers,
The Ten Commandments – “Then God spoke all these words saying” – (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5: 1-22)
“Hear now and I will speak” (Job 42:4)
“Hear, O My people, and I will speak.” (Psalm 50:7)
“God has spoken…” (Psalm 60:6; 62:11; 85:8; 99:7; 105:31; 108:7, etc…)
To Abraham and to his seed forever.
“The Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country … to the land which I will show you; …. I will make you a great nation … I will bless you …. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.’” (Genesis 12: 1-4)
Mary was not just praising God for her own part in God’s plan. The meaning of her pregnancy was that the longed-for Messiah was finally coming to Israel. This was cause for everyone to rejoice. When she visited her relative, Elizabeth, this godly cousin also rejoiced that now the things that God had promised since the beginning, were finally being fulfilled. Christ was finally coming!! Mary was humble and amazed that God would do such remarkable things through her, a lowly and undeserving handmaid. But nevertheless she was thankful and so happy that she couldn’t help bursting into song!
