SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:46
Entonces María dijo: engrandece mi alma al Seor;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Luke 1:46
Verse 46. And Mary said] Two copies of the Itala, and some books mentioned by Origen, give this song to Elisabeth. It is a counterpart of the song of Hannah, as related in 1 Sam. ii. 1-10. This is allowed by many to be the first piece of poetry in the New Testament; but the address of the angel to Zacharias, ver. 13-17, is delivered in the same way; so is that to the virgin, chap. i. 30-33, and so also is Elisabeth's answer to Mary, ver. 42-45. All these portions are easily reducible to the hemistich form in which the Hebrew poetry of the Old Testament is found in many MSS., and in which Dr. Kennicott has arranged the Psalms, and other poetical parts of the Sacred Writings. See his Hebrew Bible.
My soul doth magnify the Lord] The verb megalunein, Kypke has proved, signifies to celebrate with words, to extol with praises. This is the only way in which God can be magnified, or made great; for, strictly speaking, nothing can be added to God, for he is infinite and eternal; therefore the way to magnify him is to show forth and celebrate those acts in which he has manifested his greatness.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 46. And Mary said, my soul doth magnify the Lord .] Either Jehovah, the Father, or the Son; who, as he was David's Lord, according to his divine nature, though his son after the flesh, was, in the same sense, Mary's Lord, as well as her son: and by magnifying him is meant, not making him great, for he cannot be made greater than he is; but ascribing greatness to him, even all the perfections of the Deity, and praising him on account of them; and also declaring and speaking well of his many and mighty works of power, goodness, grace, and mercy, and giving him the glory of them: this Mary did, not in lip and word only, but with her whole heart and, soul, and with all the powers and faculties of it; being filled with the Holy Ghost, and under a more than ordinary influence of his, as her cousin Elisabeth was: and it is to be observed, that she all along speaks in the prophetic style, of things, as if they were done, which were doing, or would shortly be done.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 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 wa conscious of the approach of her who was to be the mother of the grea Redeemer. At the same time she was filled with the Holy Ghost, an under his influence declared that Mary and her expected child were mos blessed and happy, as peculiarly honoured of and dear to the Most Hig God. Mary, animated by Elisabeth's address, and being also under the influence of the Holy Ghost, broke out into joy, admiration, an gratitude. She knew herself to be a sinner who needed a Saviour, an 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 fill with good things, with the best things; and they are abundantl 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.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S μαριαμ 3137 N-PRI μεγαλυνει 3170 5719 V-PAI-3S η 3588 T-NSF ψυχη 5590 N-NSF μου 3450 P-1GS τον 3588 T-ASM κυριον 2962 N-ASM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
46. Said (eipen). Simply. Compare verse 42. "Elizabeth's salutation was full of excitement, but Mary's hymn breathes a sentiment of deep inward repose" (Godet). Compare the song of Hannah (1 Samual 2). Hannah's song differs from Mary's in its sense of indignation and personal triumph compared with Mary's humility and calmness.My soul - spirit (yuchpneuma). See on Mark xii. 30. The soul is the principle of individuality, the seat of personal impressions, having a side in contact with the material element of humanity, as well as with the spiritual element. It is thus the mediating organ between the spirit and the body, receiving impressions from without and from within, and transmitting them by word or sign. Spirit is the highest, deepest, noblest part of our humanity, the point of contact between God and man.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
1:46 {Doth magnify} (megalunei). Latin, _magnificat_. Harnack argues that this is also the song of Elisabeth because a few Latin MSS. have it so, but Mary is correct. She draws her material from the O.T. and sings in the noblest strain.
