Bible fact · Literary or interpretive observation
Hannah's song and Mary's song
Mary's song in Luke 1 shares many themes with Hannah's song in 1 Samuel 2: God lifts the humble and fills the hungry. 1 Samuel 2:1–8Luke 1:46–55
Discover why
Hannah sang: "He raises up the poor out of the dust... to make them sit with princes." "Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread; those who were hungry are satisfied." 1 Samuel 2:1–8
Mary sang: "He has put down princes from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things." Luke 1:46–55
What the Bible does not say
Luke does not say Mary was quoting Hannah; the similarity is a literary observation.
Read the passage
1 Samuel 2:1–8 WEB
1Hannah prayed, and said, “My heart exults in the LORD! My horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth is enlarged over my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. 2There is no one as holy as the LORD, for there is no one besides you, nor is there any rock like our God. 3“Don’t keep talking so exceedingly proudly. Don’t let arrogance come out of your mouth, for the LORD is a God of knowledge. By him actions are weighed. 4“The bows of the mighty men are broken. Those who stumbled are armed with strength. 5Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread. Those who were hungry are satisfied. Yes, the barren has borne seven. She who has many children languishes. 6“The LORD kills and makes alive. He brings down to Sheol and brings up. 7The LORD makes poor and makes rich. He brings low, he also lifts up. 8He raises up the poor out of the dust. He lifts up the needy from the dunghill to make them sit with princes and inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s. He has set the world on them.
Luke 1:46–55 WEB
46Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. 47My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, 48for he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed. 49For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name. 50His mercy is for generations and generations on those who fear him. 51He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52He has put down princes from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. 53He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty. 54He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy, 55as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever.”