1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd
Chapter 2
1
And this is the song of Hannah:
“My heart exults in the Lord,
I feel strong in my God.
I rejoice and laugh at my enemies,
for you came with power to save me.
4
The bow of the mighty is broken,
but the weak are girded with strength.
5
The well-fed must labor for bread,
but the hungry need work no more.
The childless wife has borne seven children,
but the proud mother is left alone.
6
The Lord is Lord of life and death.
He brings down to the grave and raises up.
7
The Lord makes poor and rich;
he brings low and exalts.
8
He lifts up the lowly from the dust and raises the poor from the ash heap;
they will be called to the company of princes,
and inherit a seat of honor.
The earth to its pillars belong to the Lord;
he has set the world on them.
Commentaries
Song of Hannah.
Strictly speaking, this canticle can be classified as a “royal psalm,” since a king’s victory inspires it, and the final verse reveals who is singing it: the king. Therefore, it is likely a song composed during the monarchy, with the final editor attributing it to Hannah, who has just experienced a victory: the Lord has made her fruitful. It emphasizes trust in the Lord’s power and highlights the failures of the arrogant and powerful who rely on their strength. This sentiment echoes the vision Luke presents through Mary’s words when she sings of God’s righteous deeds in contrast to the unjust actions of men in the “Magnificat.”