And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour."

in the Gospel according to Luke, Chapter 1 verses 45 and 46 (NIV)

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A Holy Singer

1. Who spoke these words?
   Mary, the mother of the Lord Jesus.
2. Why did she say these words?
   Because God had chosen her to be the mother of the Lord Jesus.
3. Who did first hear this song?
   Elizabeth, Mary's cousin and the mother (to be) of John the Baptist.

A great Theme

4. To whom does Mary address her song?
   To God.
5. What does "glorify" mean.
   Ascribing greatness, to make great.
6. In what sense can God be made great?
   Only in the sense of us humans seeing and seeking His greatness.
7. What is meant by: "My soul glorifies the Lord?"
   That Mary exalted God, made Him great.
8. How can we glorify God?
   By remembering His goodness and praising Him for it.
9. How does Mary herself explain her meaning?
   By adding: "My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour."

Our Being

10. What does Mary mean by "soul" and "spirit?"
    The part that is associated with our feelings, our inner being (soul)
    The part that enables us to communicate with God (spirit)
11. What lesson does the use of these words teach us?
    That the human nature has both spiritual and bodily aspects.
12. What are we told here about the inner being?
    That through it we can praise God and rejoice in Him.

An Important Lesson

13. How does Mary say we can especially rejoice in God?
    As the One who saves us.
14. What does this teach us?
    That we stand in need of a Deliverer.
15. Where does Mary place herself?
    Amongst the number of those who were looking for salvation.
16. What great truth do her words teach?
    That God, and God only, is the Author of Salvation.

Text Twenty

Adapted from:
"The one hundred texts of the society for Irish Church Missions."
T.C. Hammond, Dublin. 1939