My Savior Has Shown Favor (Magnificat)

Nine months before Christmas, on March 25th, the Church Year pauses (in what is usually the midst of Lent) to recognize "The Annunciation of our Lord."  The angel Gabriel brought to Mary the startling news that she, a virgin, would give birth to the very Son of God!  Mary responds to the angel's message with faith:  "I am the Lord's servant...may it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1:38)  God had given Mary a sign of encouragement:  her elderly and previously childless relative, Elizabeth, was in the sixth month of her pregnancy. "For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37)  When Mary left her home to visit Elizabeth, she discovered the truth of the angel's message.  Mary's inspired song of response is known liturgically as "The Magnificat" found in Luke 1:46-55 :
And Mary said:
   "My soul glorifies the Lord
       and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
   for he has been mindful
      of the humble state of his servant.
   From now on all generations will call me blessed,
      for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
      holy is his name.
   His mercy extends to those who fear him,
      from generation to generation.
   He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
      he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
   He has brought down rulers from their thrones
      but has lifted up the humble.
   He has filled the hungry with good things
      but has sent the rich away empty.
   He has helped his servant Israel,
      remembering to be merciful
   to Abraham and his descendants forever,
      even as he said to our fathers."


"My Savior Has Shown Favor" was my second attempt (2002) at the Magnificat after "My Soul Rejoices" (LSB 933) which was written in 1991.  "My Savior Has Shown Favor" is set to the hymn tune OASIS.


1.  My Savior has shown favor

        To me, of little fame;

    Now all those living hence shall

        My blessedness proclaim:

    For God has done great things

        And holy is His name—

                      Refrain:  O, magnify

                                   The Lord on high,

                                        O, magnify the Lord!

2.  To those who fear His greatness,

         His mercy He extends;

     Their children and their children

         His faithful love befriends;

     With deeds of great power

         His people He defends—

                     Refrain

3.  He scatters all the prideful

         And those who have rebelled;   

     The rulers are brought down

         While the humble are upheld;

     He fills all the hungry,

         The wealthy are expelled—

                     Refrain

4.   The Lord has helped His servant,

          His Israel, which He bore,

      Remembering His mercy

          Which long ago He swore

      To Abr’am and to his

          Descendants evermore.

                      Refrain