Mary's Canticle
W. Burkitt, M. A. Luke 1:46-55 And Mary said, My soul does magnify the Lord,… This is the first canticle, or song of praise, recorded in the New Testament, composed by the Blessed Virgin with unspeakable joy, for designing her to be the instrument of the conception and birth of the Saviour of the world. Observe — 1. The manner of her praise. Her soul and spirit bear their part in the work of thanksgiving. As the sweetest music is made in the belly of the instrument, so the most delightful praise arises from the bottom of the heart. 2. The object of her praise. She does not magnify herself, but the Lord; yea, she does not rejoice so much in her Son as in her Saviour. (1) Thus she implicitly owns and confesses herself a sinner; for none need a Saviour but sinners. (2) By rejoicing in Christ as her Saviour, she declares how she values herself, rather by her spiritual relation to Christ as His member, than by her natural relation to Him as His mother. 3. Observe how she admires and magnifies God's peculiar favour towards herself, in casting an eye upon her poverty and lowly condition; that she, a poor, obscure maid, unknown to the world, should be looked upon with an eye of regard by Him who dwells in the highest heavens. As God magnified her, she magnifies Him. 4. She thankfully takes notice that it was not only a high honour, but a lasting honour, which was conferred upon her, "All generations," &c. She beholds an infinite, lasting honour prepared for her, as being the mother of a universal and everlasting Blessing, which all former ages had desired, and all succeeding ages should rejoice in, and proclaim her happy for being the instrument of. 5. Observe how she passes from the consideration of her personal privileges to the universal goodness of God. She declares the general providence of God towards all persons; His mercy to the pious, His justice on the proud, His bounty to the poor. Learn, hence, the excellency and advantageous usefulness of the grace of humility; how good it is to be meek and lowly in heart. This will render us lovely in God's eye; and though the world trample upon us, He will exalt us to the wonder of ourselves and the envy of our despisers. 6. Observe how she magnifies the spiritual grace of God in our redemption — "He hath holpen His servant Israel," i.e., blessed them with a Saviour, who lived in the faith, hope, and expectation of the promised Messiah; and this blessing she declares was — (1) The result of great mercy; (2) the effect of His truth and faithfulness in His promises. (W. Burkitt, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, WEB: Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord.