Luke 1:47

1:39-56 It is very good for those who have the work of grace begun in their souls, to communicate one to another. On Mary's arrival, Elisabeth was conscious of the approach of her who was to be the mother of the great Redeemer. At the same time she was filled with the Holy Ghost, and under his influence declared that Mary and her expected child were most blessed and happy, as peculiarly honoured of and dear to the Most High God. Mary, animated by Elisabeth's address, and being also under the influence of the Holy Ghost, broke out into joy, admiration, and gratitude. She knew herself to be a sinner who needed a Saviour, and that she could no otherwise rejoice in God than as interested in his salvation through the promised Messiah. Those who see their need of Christ, and are desirous of righteousness and life in him, he fills with good things, with the best things; and they are abundantly satisfied with the blessings he gives. He will satisfy the desires of the poor in spirit who long for spiritual blessings, while the self-sufficient shall be sent empty away.

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Which also, may be understood, either of God the Father, who was her Saviour, both as the God of nature and providence; so the Persic version renders it, "in God that gives me life"; and who had supported, maintained, and preserved her life; and as the God of grace, who has contrived the scheme of salvation, fixed upon, and appointed Christ to be the Saviour; and who saves by him, and therefore is sometimes said to be our Saviour. Titus 3:4 or of Christ, the Son of God, who being truly and properly God, was fit to be a Saviour; and is a very suitable, able, and willing one; and which is the great encouragement to sensible sinners, to look up to him, and be saved; and lays a solid foundation for rejoicing in him, since what he did as man, had hereby an infinite virtue and efficacy put into it, as was put into his blood, sacrifice, and righteousness; whereby the purposes designed were answered by them; and since he must be able to keep their immortal souls, which they commit unto him, and must have an interest with his Father, as their advocate, and a fulness, to supply all their wants: the consideration of Christ, by Mary, as God her Saviour, as having an interest in him, as a Saviour, and this her Saviour, God, gave her greater joy, than being the mother of him as man; and this her joy was not carnal, nor merely external, but inward and spiritual: it was a joy in her own spirit, and was excited there by the holy Spirit of God.

Luke 1:47 . Σωτῆρι , Saviour ) Preserver . See on Chrys. de Sacerd. pp. 452, 453. This expresses the force of the name, Jesus , as given, Luke 1:31 . [ Mary, by this mode of expression, reckons herself among those things which had been lost. Even she had her salvation, not from herself, but from Jesus .—V. g.]

Verse 46b-48. - My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior . For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed . This is the first of the four divisions of the Magnificat. In it she speaks of herself, and her deep feelings of adoration and of holy joy, and of intense glad surprise. It is a prayer, but the highest kind of prayer, for it asks for nothing - it simply breathes adoration and thankfulness. We may imagine the angels praying thus. They have all that created beings, however exalted, can desire in the beatific vision which they perpetually enjoy; and yet they pray continually, but only after this manner. The joy of her spirit, notice, is based on the fact of the revelation that he, God, was, too, her Savior; and, of course, not hers only: her great joy was in the thought of the salvation of the suffering, sinning world around her. Then she passes into simple wonderment that she should have been chosen as the instrument of the boundless goodness of God. She had nothing to recommend her only her low estate. Though royally descended, she only occupied a position among the humblest Hebrew maidens, and yet, owing to God's favor, she will be deemed blessed by countless unborn generations. Luke 1:47

47 . hath rejoiced ] Rather, exults . In the original it is the general , or gnomic aorist. in God my Saviour ] Isaiah 45:21 , “a just God and a Saviour.” Comp. Isaiah 12:2 ; Isaiah 25:9 . The expression is also found in the later Epistles of St Paul, “God our Saviour,” 1 Timothy 1:1 ; Titus 3:4 .

In God my Saviour - God is called "Saviour," as he saves people from sin and death. He was "Mary's" Saviour, as he had redeemed her soul and given her a title to eternal life; and she rejoiced for that, and especially for his mercy in honoring her by her being made the mother of the Messiah.

[Bible] 1:45. And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord. 1:46. And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. 1:47. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 1:48. Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Shall call me blessed... These words are a prediction of that honour which the church in all ages should pay to the Blessed Virgin. Let Protestants examine whether they are any way concerned in this prophecy. 1:49. Because he that is mighty hath done great things to me: and holy is his name. 1:50. And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him. 1:51. He hath shewed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. 1:52. He hath put down the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the humble. 1:53. He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away. 1:54. He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy. 1:55. As he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his seed for ever. 1:56. And Mary abode with her about three months. And she returned to her own house. 1:57. Now Elizabeth's full time of being delivered was come: and she brought forth a son. 1:58. And her neighbors and kinsfolks heard that the Lord had shewed his great mercy towards her: and they congratulated with her. 1:59. And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child: and they called him by his father's name Zachary. 1:60. And his mother answering, said: Not so. But he shall be called John 1:61. And they said to her: There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 1:62. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 1:63. And demanding a writing table, he wrote, saying: John is his name. And they all wondered. 1:64. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed: and he spoke, blessing God.