Lisa Notes: He comes, and I must sing

He comes, and I must sing

And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Luke 1:46-47

How often do you break out in song?
While I do occasionally, it’s usually just repeating a song I already know.

But when Mary’s heart was overflowing with praise after her cousin Elizabeth blessed her as the mother of her Lord, Mary expressed herself with inspired words (Luke 1:46-55).

Words that breathe.
Words that move.

We sing her words with my church, “Magnificat.” And even in the repetition, I feel the Spirit breathe through us in Mary’s phrases.

My soul magnifies the Lord.
My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
He has been mindful of His servant.
I will be blessed forever.

I want to sing these words often. Mean these words. Deeply. In every month of the year.

But I long to express worship in my own words, too. To let the Lord know from my mouth that His coming to me stirs my soul.

I read these words yesterday by Walter Wangerin, Jr. for December Fourteen in Preparing for Jesus:

O Lord, you are the musician, and we are all your instruments. You breathe, and we come to life. You breathe, and we are horns for your glory. You blow through the world the winds of the spirit, and we like chimes cannot keep silent. You pluck the strings of our hearts, and we become a psalm.

You come, and we must sing.

He comes, and I must sing.
You may never hear my song, but he will.

* * *
Read or listen to Mary’s words in Luke 1:46-55 today.

Do they prompt praise in your heart, too?

Comments (23)

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Happygirl · 694 weeks ago

I love to break out in song. Just for the fun of it. I don't love the idea that the only thing called worship is song or music. Once, for worship time in a small group I was in, I read a Psalm. Everyone was disappointed and said that was not worship. Really?

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Lisa notes 103p · 694 weeks ago

I'm glad you were able to use a psalm to worship with in your small group. I agree with you that worship is MUCH larger than simply music. We worship in as many different ways as there are people and activities and gifts.
My recent post He comes, and I must sing

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barbarah 65p · 694 weeks ago

We just read the Magnificat last night.via Nancy Guthrie's 'Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room.'

My husband loves microscopes and gave a talk one time on "magnifying" the Lord -- not making Him bigger than He is, but magnifying Him in our thoughts and words so that other people see Him.

I do break out into song while in the car or at home, where He is the only One who hears. :-)
My recent post It’s Moving Day….

1 reply · active 694 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 694 weeks ago

I bet the microscope talk was very good. I love that analogy.

I'm sure your joyful noise in the car is lovely. :-)
My recent post He comes, and I must sing

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monicasharman 18p · 694 weeks ago

Hey, you struck a deep chord in me (pun intended). Thanks for this---I'm going to spend the day meditating on that beautiful song of Mary.
My recent post How to Sing Christmas Carols

1 reply · active 694 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 694 weeks ago

:-)
I've had Magnificat stuck in my head for days now, but I'm glad; it's a good thing to have there.
My recent post He comes, and I must sing

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Julie · 694 weeks ago

Isn't it amazing that she was just given some really RADICAL and quite DISTURBING news, and her response was to SING to the Lord...what a message to us girls today. She was definitely a young woman who knew and worshipped ... practiced the presence~ of her Lord - no doubts here. Her hope was in HIM. brought to mind that quote from a poem by Emily Dickinson that I love... "Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune--without the words, and never stops at all. " Mary must have grounded all her hope in the Lord for her soul to sing. Thank you Lisa. I hope that I will always pursue singing a song with my life whether there are words or not...that my HOPE would be in Him and my soul would belt out a song that would rise to His heavenly halls and He would hear and be pleased ...even when I am experiencing disturbing moments, just like Mary. HUGS!!!! xo

My recent post Merry Monday! and a Mix of Musings....

1 reply · active 694 weeks ago

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ShaunieFriday 84p · 694 weeks ago

Such a good word for today Lisa--to let our hearts burst forth in song! We have a Savior worth singing about, worth lifting our voices in praise!
My recent post All He Ever Wanted . . . Reprise

1 reply · active 694 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 694 weeks ago

Yes, Shaunie, he is definitely worth all the praise we can give him!
My recent post He comes, and I must sing

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tinuviel · 694 weeks ago

"You blow through the world the winds of the spirit, and we like chimes cannot keep silent. You pluck the strings of our hearts, and we become a psalm." Wonderful! Yes, Lord.

Thanks for yet another intriguing book recommendation, friend. Excellent quotes in your Twitter feed, too.

May God keep your heart singing today!
My recent post Advent 3: Joy {Elisabeth}

1 reply · active 694 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 694 weeks ago

IThis has been a good little Advent devotional. My friend Lynn recommended it a year ago and by the grace of God I found where I had recorded it and ordered it this year. :-)
My recent post He comes, and I must sing

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flowingfaith 23p · 694 weeks ago

Great post! I think all the Christmas carols have been made just because we really must sing! Thank you! Stay blessed!
My recent post Why Was Jesus Born?

1 reply · active 694 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 694 weeks ago

I do love that Christmas has its own set of special songs--born out of a delight to praise God for what he has done.
My recent post He comes, and I must sing

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apesydaisy77 45p · 694 weeks ago

I am always singing, have been ever since I was a little girl. I love to sing and these days it's more and more with the holidays (my favorite time of year)
My recent post Be Born in Me

1 reply · active 694 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 694 weeks ago

I didn't realize until I got older that not everyone sings in their house all the time. :-) My dad was always singing so that's how I grew up. Although I don't sing very well, I love it too. There's something about music that can move me in a way that other things do not.
My recent post He comes, and I must sing

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Jason Stasyszen · 694 weeks ago

I break into song all the time--I love it. :) And I also love that quote and especially, "You come, and we must sing." That's just light and life. So good! Thanks Lisa.
My recent post 5 Things I Don’t Get: Christmas Songs Edition

1 reply · active 693 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 693 weeks ago

I'm sure you do sing all the time, Jason. Your church is blessed to have you.
My recent post Is it okay to be needy?

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floyd · 693 weeks ago

I sing a lot. We listen to music in the house way more than we watch TV. I have to admit that often I change the words to songs, usually inserting my dog Larry as the subject. I'm not sure why? I do enjoy it.

Our songs are beautiful before the Lord when we're acknowledging Him as the proper order of all things. Interesting how He is the one who born us with songs in our heart. Great thoughts. Thanks.
My recent post THE STING

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Lisa notes 103p · 693 weeks ago

As long as Larry isn't singing back, you're okay. ;-)

Yes, I love how the Lord is the one that puts the songs in our hearts to sing back to him. And also that he sings over us. All good!
My recent post Is it okay to be needy?

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Caroline · 693 weeks ago

Lisa, this is a fantastic post. What a great illustration... and Mary regularly becomes more and more of a truly amazing example to all of us.

This. I love this: "You come, and we must sing." Here's to singing for Him and because of Him!
My recent post The Trouble with Entitlement

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Alida · 693 weeks ago

I love to sing...What a great post!

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Barbie · 693 weeks ago

This is so good. I believe we were born with a song. Unique, something all our own. It touches the heart of God when we sign it. Our voices are lovely to Him. I love those moments when I am driving to work and break out in spontaneous singing!

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Kimberly · 693 weeks ago

Absolutely. I love Mary's song. And there are many, many other outbursts of song throughout the Bible as men and women of God sing their gratitude and give God praise. Using our mouths to glorify God is not just acceptable, it is normal and right and pleases God! He created us this way! :)
My recent post Believing God's Promise