Psalm 204 from Beyond Psalm 150
We now transition from the Old Testament, which anticipates the coming Messiah, to the New Testament, which focuses on the Messiah, Jesus. We aptly begin with the events leading up to his birth.
Young Mary receives startling news. While she’s engaged to Joseph, an angel greets her as someone whom God favors highly.
He tells her that, though a virgin, she will become pregnant by supernatural Holy Spirit power. She will give birth to a son. And not just any son but the Son of God.
This perplexes Mary, as it would anyone, but she accepts the angel’s words.
She travels to meet her relative Elizabeth, who’s also expecting. She’s carrying the baby who will become John the Baptist.
Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, blesses Mary and her unborn child. And the unborn John leaps for joy in his mother’s womb at the sound of Mary’s voice.
Mary then praises God for who he is and what he is doing.
My soul magnifies the Lord.
Luke 1:46–55 (WEB)
My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
for he has looked at the humble state of his servant.
For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.
For he who is mighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
His mercy is for generations and generations on those who fear him.
He has shown strength with his arm.
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down princes from their thrones,
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things.
He has sent the rich away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and his offspring forever.
Reflections on Mary’s Psalm of Praise
Though Mary had questions about the angel’s shocking message, she accepted the proclamation in faith, as God’s humble servant.
If God sent an angel to us, how would we respond? Would we embrace the courier’s words, no matter how perplexing? Or would we reject the message because it sounded preposterous?
When God speaks to us through others, through the Bible, and through the Holy Spirit, what is our reaction? Do we accept the message through faith or reject it through logic?
May we hear God when he speaks and believe what he says.
Explore the other psalms—sacred songs of praise, petition, and lament—scattered throughout the Bible in Peter’s book Beyond Psalm 150.
Discover more sacred songs of praise, petition, and lament throughout the Bible.
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Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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