Praise makes God great in our eyes when our circumstances make Him seem small.
“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”Luke 1:46-47 (KJV)
What does “Praise” mean in Luke 1:46-47?
Magnify translates the Greek megalyno, which means to make great. Mary does not make God larger. She declares how great He already is.
Going deeper
Mary's song of praise, often called the Magnificat, comes after she reaches Elizabeth's home. It is full of Scripture and echoes the prayer of Hannah in the Old Testament. She sings from the heart, not from a script. She praises God for looking on a humble servant, for doing great things, and for keeping His promises to Israel. Praise here is specific. She names what He has done.
Notice that Mary sings before anything looks resolved. She is unmarried and expecting a child in a small town, and the future is unclear. Praise does not wait for everything to be settled. It magnifies the Lord the way a telescope makes a distant star look larger, so that we see more of what is already true. Try beginning your prayer today with praise before any request. Say what God is like, and thank Him for something specific. See how it changes what you ask for afterward.
Reflect
What could you say about God today that shows how great He is, before you ask Him for anything?
Pray
My soul magnifies You, Lord. Thank You for looking on the humble and keeping every promise You have made. In Jesus' name, amen.
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