Magnificat!
Voices Found # 152
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in you, O God my savior,
for you have looked with favor on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me, and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you from generation to generation.
You have shown the strength of your arm
and have scattered the proud in their conceit,
Casting down the mighty from their thrones and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the help of your servant Isreal,
for you have remembered your promise of mercy,
The promise you made to our forebears, to Abraham and his children forever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Words: the Song of Mary, Enriching our worship 1, 1998 The Church Pension fund
Music: Melody from Antiphon 17 (Laus Trinitati) by Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) adapted by Lisa Neufeld Thomas
About the music
Hildegard of Bingen loved Mary and wrote many antiphons, hymns, and sequences in praise of the Virgin. However, Hildegard did not write a Magnificat. I used her chant Antiphon 17, Laus trinitati, to set Mary's words. It is a Gregorian chant that is usually sung unaccompanied; however, handbells could be used. It is not clear if Hildegard used instruments to accompany her music.
"Mary, Queen of Heaven," based on Vision thirteen of the sections of Scivias, by Hildegard of Bingen
from the back cover of the CD " Echoes of St. Hildegard"
My soul gives glory to my God
My heart pours out its praise.
God lifted up my lowliness
in many marvelous ways.
My God has done great things for me:
yes, holy is his name.
All people will declare me blessed,
and blessings they shall claim.
From age to age, to all who fear,
such mercy love imparts,
dispensing justice far and near,
dismissing selfish hearts.
Love casts the mighty from their thrones,
promotes the insecure,
leaves hungry spirits satisfied,
the rich seem suddenly poor.
Praise God whose loving covenant
supports those in distress,
remembering past promises
with present faithfulness.
Words: Miriam Therese Winter
Music: Morning song, att. Elkanah Kelsey Dare (1782-1826)
Meditation:
Mary's words have inspired composers throughout the ages to sing her song. Which words of Mary inspire you? Think of great things God has done for you. How can you proclaim the greatness of the Lord?
Mary's song echoes Jesus's teaching that "the last shall be first and the first last." Do you find this comforting? What does it mean to you?
Give thanks to the Savior for God's love, for past and present faithfulness.
Loving Mother and Father, help me to sing your praise like Mary, and to learn how I can magnify your Holy Name my life.
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