Luke 1:54

  Luke 1:54 

He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

a. ASV: He hath given help to Israel his servant, That he might remember mercy [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

b. YLT: He received again Israel His servant, To remember kindness,  [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

c. Classic Amplified:  He has laid hold on His servant Israel [to help him, to espouse his cause], in remembrance of His mercy,  [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

d. Peshitta Eastern Text: He has helped his servant Israel, and has remembered his mercy,   [HOLY BIBLE FROM THE ANCIENT EASTERN TEXT. Copyright  Ⓒ 1933 by A.J. Holmon Co.; copyright  Ⓒ renewed 1968 by A.J. Holmon Co.; All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. HarperCollins Publishers, 195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007.]

e. NLT:  He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

1. “He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

a. [He hath] holpen [Strong: 482 antilambánomai, an-tee-lam-ban'-om-ahee; from G473 and the middle voice of G2983; to take hold of in turn, i.e. succor; also to participate:—help, partaker, support.]

b. his [Strong: 846 autós, ow-tos'; from the particle αὖ aû (perhaps akin to the base of G109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:—her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

c. servant [Strong: 3816 paîs, paheece; perhaps from G3817; a boy (as often beaten with impunity), or (by analogy), a girl, and (genitive case) a child; specially, a slave or servant (especially a minister to a king; and by eminence to God):—child, maid(-en), (man) servant, son, young man.]

d. Israel [Strong: 2474 Israḗl, is-rah-ale'; of Hebrew origin (H3478); Israel (i.e. Jisrael), the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively):—Israel.]

e. [in] remembrance [Strong: 3415 mnáomai, mnah'-om-ahee; middle voice of a derivative of G3306 or perhaps of the base of G3145 (through the idea of fixture in the mind or of mental grasp); to bear in mind, i.e. recollect; by implication, to reward or punish:—be mindful, remember, come (have) in remembrance.]

f. [of his] mercy [Strong: 1656 éleos, el'-eh-os; of uncertain affinity; compassion (human or divine, especially active):—(+ tender) mercy.]

1). Mary was no spiritual slouch. The song she sings here reveals it. 

a). Luke 1:46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

(1) 1 Samuel 2:1 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

(2) Psalm 34:2, 3 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

34:3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

b). Luke 1:47, 48 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

1:48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

(1) Psalm 138:6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

(2) Mary here was acknowledging her spiritual condition. As a faithful Mosaic Covenant believer she knew that outside of the righteous system that God had ordained for the Jewish people, there was no hope for humanity. This clearly evidenced by her whole praise report.

c). Luke 1:49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

(1) Psalm 71:19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!

(2) Psalm 126:2, 3 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

126:3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

(3) Psalm 111:9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.

d). Luke 1:50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

(1) Genesis 17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

(2) Exodus 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

(3) Psalm 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

e). Luke 1:51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

(1) Psalm 98:1 O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

f). Luke 1:52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

(1) 1 Samuel 2:6 The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.

(2) Job 5:11 To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.

g). Luke 1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

(1) 1 Samuel 2:5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

(2) Psalm 34:10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

h). Luke 1:54 He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

(1) Psalm 98:3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

i). Luke 1:55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

(1) Genesis 15:18-21 In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

15:19 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,

15:20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,

15:21 And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

(2) Psalm 105:6-12 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.

105:7 He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth.

105:8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

105:9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;

105:10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:

105:11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance: