My Soul Now Magnifies the Lord
My soul now magnifies the Lord
The hymn presents the Magnificat as an expression of Mary's lowliness and faith, emphasizing God's revolutionary mercy toward the humble and weak while exalting the mighty. This reflects Lutheran appreciation for Mary as a model of faith and the gospel's subversive message of divine grace.
History & Background
This hymn is a metrical paraphrase of the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), the song of Mary at her visitation to Elizabeth. It originated as a German hymn and was adapted into English by LBW editors for liturgical use, becoming a standard Advent and Christmas canticle in Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 573
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 180
- Lutheran Service Book — 934
- Lutheran Worship — 211
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 275
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by Heilwig Göhring in 1959, this modern setting of the Magnificat restores Mary's prophetic voice to Lutheran hymnody, presenting her as a witness to God's mercy and the church's model of faithful surrender.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Gospel's radical inversion: God's judgment falls on pride and presumption (the Law), while His mercy embraces the humble and hungry (the Gospel's promise fulfilled in Christ).
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From individual humility and blessing (stanzas 1-2) to cosmic reversal of power structures through divine mercy (stanzas 3-4)
Themes
Magnificat of Mary Praise and adoration God's mercy and salvation Reversal of earthly values Evangelical joy