New Testament hymns

Because it is natural for human beings to use poetry at times of great emotion, it is not surprising that there are places in the New Testament (as in the Old Testament) in which people break forth into song. Probably the most famous examples occur in the first and second chapters of the Gospel of Luke. Following the Annunciation, Mary sings the Magnificat* (Luke 1: 46-55), with its message of God’s recognition of those that are humble and meek; Zacharias is filled with the Holy Spirit at the birth of John, and sings ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel’ (Luke 1: 68-79), the Benedictus*; and at the Presentation in the Temple, Simeon expresses his joy on beholding the Christ child, the light...