Page 14 - November 2022 - Truth & Tidings

ary’s song, often called the older woman to help fortify her in chal-
Magnificat (from Latin), is a lenging circumstances. Mary’s spirituality
Msublime expression of praise was evident as her trust in divine promises
found in Luke 1:46-55. Because some led her to burst out with this delightful
have taken their views on Mary well hymn of praise.
beyond Scripture, perhaps we may have One of the impressive features of this
swung too far in the other direction and song is Mary’s evident knowledge of
not considered her enough. If so, we have Scripture at such a young age. We see
missed some vital truths contained in her many references to Old Testament pas-
lovely song. sages, including Hannah’s prayer in 1
First, it is helpful to understand a little Samuel 2. There are also echoes of numer-
about Mary. She was a young woman, ous prophecies and Psalms throughout
likely 14-16 years of age when Gabriel (e.g., Psa 9, 34, 35, 72, 103). May this be
the angel visited her to tell her she would a practical thought for us that the more
bring forth the Son of God. With this we meditate upon the Word, the more
stunning news, Mary immediately went it will come out in our worship, as it did
to visit her older relative Elisabeth. When with Mary.
she arrived, Elisabeth felt John the Baptist We could dwell on the opening line of
leap in her womb, and she was filled with this song at length, “My soul doth magnify
the Holy Spirit (v41). Elisabeth then re- the Lord” (v46). The thought of magnify-
sponded and “spake out with a loud voice, ing may be likened to looking at a faraway
and said, Blessed art thou among women, planet through a powerful telescope. We
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb” see it larger than we do with our natural
(Luk 1:42). We can only imagine the fear eye, and yet it is nowhere near as big as
1
Mary would have as surely rumors would if we were close to it. In reality, the object
begin to circulate around Nazareth and does not expand in size because it is mag-
abroad. Therefore, it was wise for her to nified; we can just see it better through
seek the presence and counsel of a godly the lens which provides an enhanced
¹ Scripture quotations in this article are from the perspective.
KJV. Is there any greater activity for a be-

334 TRUTH kTidings November 2022