The Magnificat — Mary's Song of Praise

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

— Luke 1:46–55 (KJV)

About This Prayer

The Magnificat is Mary's song when she visited her cousin Elisabeth, soon after learning she would bear Jesus. It is scripture, not a later composition, and the church has prayed it daily at evening worship for some fifteen hundred years — Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Protestant alike. It is a young woman's astonished praise that God notices the lowly, feeds the hungry, and keeps His promises across generations. "Holpen" is simply the old word for "helped."

Modern Translation (WEB)

My soul magnifies the Lord. 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 of 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.

— Luke 1:46–55 (WEB)

When to Pray This

Pray the Magnificat in the evening, as the church has for centuries, or any time God has done something in your life that deserves more than a quiet thank-you. It is also a natural prayer during Advent and Christmas, and for anyone who feels small and wants to remember that God sees them.