Mary’s song: the Magnificat in Luke 1 and a God who lifts the humble

She was a young woman from a small town, pregnant before marriage and facing gossip. Yet when Mary arrived at her relative Elizabeth’s house, she sang one of the boldest songs in the Bible. “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour” (Luke 1:46-47). The song, known as the Magnificat, celebrates a God who turns the world’s order upside down.

The visit and Elizabeth's blessing

After the angel Gabriel told Mary she would bear the Son of God, she went to visit Elizabeth, who was also miraculously pregnant. When Mary greeted her, Elizabeth’s baby, John the Baptist, leaped in her womb. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, called out, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!”

The song is called the Magnificat from the first word of its Latin translation, “Magnificat anima mea Dominum”, meaning “My soul magnifies the Lord”.

Humble state and reversal

Mary sings that God “has been mindful of the humble state of his servant”. She knew she was ordinary, yet God chose her. “From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me.” Mary’s words have proved true across centuries. The heart of the song describes God’s actions: “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.”

Hannah's echo and Mary's faith

The Magnificat echoes the song of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2, who also praised God for lifting the poor and humbling the proud. Mary ends by praising God for remembering his promises to Abraham and his descendants. The Magnificat is sung daily in many Anglican and Catholic services and has been set to music by countless composers.

The song comforts the poor and challenges the powerful. It invites believers to see the world from God’s perspective. Mary’s song shows a young woman who trusted God completely. Elizabeth, who had long been childless, gave birth to John the Baptist. Where have you seen God lift the humble? Write your own short song of thanks this week.