Reference: Magnificat
Hastings
The hymn Magnificat (Lu 1:46-55) has been well described as 'something more than a psalm, and something less than a complete Christian hymn' (Liddon). It is the poem of one who felt nearer to the fulfilment of the promises than any writer of the OT. But no Evangelist of the NT could have failed to speak of Christ by His human name, writing after His Death and Resurrection.
In the TR the hymn is ascribed to the Virgin Mary, but there is a variant reading 'Elisabeth' which demands some explanation. 'Mary' is the reading of all the Greek MSS, of the great majority of Latin MSS, and of many Early Fathers as far back as Tertullian (2nd cent.). On the other hand, three Old Latin MSS (cod. Vercellensis, cod. Veronensis, cod. Rhedigeranus-Vratislaviensis) have 'Elisabeth.' This reading was known to Origen (Hom. 5 on Lu 5), unless his translator Jerome interpolated the reference. Niceta of Remesiana (fl. c. 400) quoted it in his treatise 'On the good of Psalmody.' We can trace it back to the 3rd cent in the translation of Iren
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And Mary said; Behold the handmaiden of the Lord; may it be done unto me according to thy word. And the angel went away from her.
And it came to pass when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant in her womb leaped; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit; and she spoke with a loud voice and said; Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord may come unto me?
And whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord may come unto me? For behold when the voice of your salutation came into my ears, the infant in my womb leaped with joy.
For behold when the voice of your salutation came into my ears, the infant in my womb leaped with joy. And blessed is she that believeth, because there shall be a perfection to those things having been spoken to her by the Lord.
And blessed is she that believeth, because there shall be a perfection to those things having been spoken to her by the Lord.
And blessed is she that believeth, because there shall be a perfection to those things having been spoken to her by the Lord. And Mary said; My soul doth magnify the Lord,
And Mary said; My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, because He looked upon the low state of his handmaiden.
because He looked upon the low state of his handmaiden.
because He looked upon the low state of his handmaiden. For behold from now all generations call me blessed; because the Mighty One did great things unto me, and His name is holy;
For behold from now all generations call me blessed; because the Mighty One did great things unto me, and His name is holy; and His mercy unto generation of generations to them that fear Him. read more. He wrought power by his own arm; he dispersed the proud in the thought of their heart.
He wrought power by his own arm; he dispersed the proud in the thought of their heart. He cast down the mighty from thrones and exalted the humble.
He cast down the mighty from thrones and exalted the humble. He filled the poor with good things, and sent away the rich empty.
He filled the poor with good things, and sent away the rich empty. He delivered his son Israel, to remember mercy,
He delivered his son Israel, to remember mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever.
as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever.
as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever.
And Zacharias his father was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied saying;