Luke 1:46

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

Luke 1:46 (KJV)

Context

Luke 1:46 opens the passage known as the Magnificat, Mary’s hymn of praise in response to the angel Gabriel’s announcement that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit and give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. Her words form a song of gratitude and worship for being chosen as the mother of the Savior.

Meaning

When Mary says, “My soul doth magnify the Lord,” the Greek word translated “magnify” is megalynō, meaning to make great, enlarge, or extol. She is not making God greater than He already is, for God cannot be increased. Rather, she ascribes greatness to Him, declaring His majesty and glory. Her use of “my soul” shows that her praise is not superficial; it rises from the deepest part of her being. Her whole inner life is engaged in exalting God.

Mary’s words also reveal her humility and submission. Despite the magnitude of the task before her, she acknowledges God’s sovereignty and willingly accepts His will. By magnifying the Lord, she demonstrates her surrender to His purposes and her desire to honor Him above all else.

Biblical connections

The Lord Mary magnifies is the God of Israel, who has looked with favor on her lowly state. This verse sets the tone for the rest of the Magnificat, where Mary praises God for His mercy, strength, and faithfulness to His promises to Abraham and his descendants.

Application

Mary’s response serves as a model for believers. Like her, we are called to recognize God’s greatness, acknowledge His sovereignty, and willingly surrender to His will. We can examine our own hearts: Are we magnifying the Lord in our lives? Are we giving Him the honor He deserves? Are we submitting to His plans for us? Let us strive to follow Mary’s example of humility, submission, and praise, seeking to magnify the Lord in all we do.

Reflection

True worship is personal, heartfelt, and focused on the greatness of God. May we, like Mary, exalt the Lord and surrender ourselves to His purposes, allowing our souls to magnify Him in every circumstance.