Sermon Tone Analysis

“Praise the Lord” (Mary)

Introduction:

Do the the songs that we sing accurately remind us of and reinforce Biblical truths?

“Earworm” - “a song or melody that keeps repeating in one’s mind.”

Which is most important, the words or the music?

Words without a melody remains a poem.

A melody without words can still communicate an image and feeling that transports our hearts and minds.

Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony

William Tell Overture

“Ghost Riders in the Sky”

Handel’s “Hallelujah” from the “Messiah”

“Joy to the World” - Isaac Watts / George Frederick Handel

Together great words and music transport us.

The question is where.

With regard to Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, are the words scripturally accurate?

Some songs lack consistent theology.

- Ps 51:11

In the OT the Holy Spirit did not permanently indwell.

But in the NT He does.

Keith & Krystin Getty and Joni Ericson Tada have very capable added to the Gaither’s an others do capably did.

Are Joseph and Mary/Mary & Joseph, and the ways that we speak of them, consistent with the word of God or have we unconsciously accepted the distorted and misleading personal created by some theological aberrations?

Mary’s song of praise has been disregarded by most evangelicals, with the result that some others have taken this beautiful song that if so full of OT Scriptures and twisted their meaning to that extent of being heretical.

In her Psalm/Song, Mary:

13 year girl

No personal copy of the Scriptures, OT, but not only familiar but internalized and believed what read in the synagogue where those who feared the Lord, listened to the OT read and explained.

Rejoices in the Lord/who He is/what He has done for her - 1:46-49

Rejoices - a decision within which what must of seemed overwhelming - pregnancy, family, Joseph, community, synagogue, rabbis

The Lord whom my soul magnifies/exalts

Soul - depth, not superficial

Echoed

Magnifies/exalts

megaluvw - manifest in an extraordinary degree, magnify, exalt - magnificat - 1st word in Latin translation

While magnify is an accurate translation, we should understand magnify to equal exalt.

Mary’s

Hold in high esteem - used re Pharisees - to be seen

God my Saviour

2 articles - “The God who is the (my) Saviour - God often referred to as Saviour in the OT - cc Ps 24:5

cc Lk 1:31

Jesus - Joshua - “The Lord is Salvation”

Clearly spelled out for Joseph

Reference to God her Saviour reminded Mary of the words of Samuel, Isaiah and Hosea.

Do these Scripture portions comfort our hearts?

With Mary’s reference to God her Saviour, there was her confession of her being a sinner in need of a Saviour.

Mary was born with sinful nature.

In the word of God, no where in the word of God is it even remotely hinted that anyone other than Jesus Christ, the only begotten, unique Son of God.

He has looked at the humble estate His servant (doulos)

“handmaiden” KJV

Confessed unworthiness

God does use us for who we or others think we are BUT for our selflessness.

God’s tool chest - a rod - Ex 4:2 - a jaw bone - Judges 15:15 - 5 smooth stones - a handful of meal & a little oil - 1 Kings 17:12 - a cloud the size of a man’s hand - 1 Kings 18:44 - 5 barley loaves and 2 small fish - Jn 6:9

All generations will call me blessed.

Blessed - divinely bestowed well being that belongs only to the faithful.

Poor in spirit - speaks of deep humility that recognizes ones spiritual bankruptcy apart from God and His grace.

He has done great things for me

He who is mighty

Holy is His name

2. Rejoices in what the Lord has done for those who fear Him - 1:50-55

He has:

Shown mercy - 1:50

Shown strength- 1:51

Brought down the mighty - 1:52

Filled the hungry - 1:53

Helped His servant Israel - 1:54

AS HE SPOKE TO OUR FATHERS - 1:55