lectionary.com

Advent · Fourth Sunday in Advent · Year B

Psalm 89:1-5 (19-29)

Mary’s Song

December 20, 2026

King David Playing the Harp, Gerard van Honthorst
King David Playing the Harp, Gerard van Honthorst, 1622Centraal Museum, Utrecht
Honthorst learned his candlelight in Rome from Caravaggio's followers, and the Dutch called him Gherardo delle Notti for it. Here the light comes off the harp itself.I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, for ever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.Gerard van HonthorstA Utrecht painter (1592-1656) who went to Rome, learned Caravaggio's night lighting there, and brought it home. The Italians called him Gherardo delle Notti, Gerard of the Nights.Centraal Museum, UtrechtThe oldest municipal museum in the Netherlands, and the home of the Utrecht Caravaggisti who brought Italian night-lighting north.Centraal Museum, Utrecht
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelLuke 1:26-38Lk 1:26-38
EpistleRom. 16:25-27Rom 16:25-27
Old Testament2 Sam. 7:1-11, 162 Sm 7:1-11, 16
PsalterPs. 89:1-5 (19-29)Ps 89:1-5 (19-29)

Overview & Insights

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

In our first two sections of Luke’s text the angel Gabriel has announced two births to mothers who should not have been expecting a baby (one too old, the other not yet married). Before the births of John and Jesus are narrated, the two families are brought together, and we have in this domestic scene an opportunity to reflect on the significance of these two special people. The unborn John and his mother recognize the superior status of Mary’s son, and Mary speaks with delight and wonder of the incredible honor of being the mother of God’s Son. The paradoxical values expressed in Mary’s song prepare the reader for the repeated challenges to the status quo that will mark Jesus’s ministry as this Gospel will describe it.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Psalm 89:1-5 (19-29)

Commentary

Commentary on Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26Commentary on Ps 89:1-4, 19-26 Working Preacher

Lutheran reading of the psalm's celebration of God's steadfast love and covenant with David.

Enduring Word Bible Commentary Psalm 89Enduring Word Bible Commentary Ps 89 Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse-by-verse study of the Davidic covenant sung and then lamented.

Psalm 89:1 CommentariesPs 89:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators gathered on singing of the mercies of the Lord forever.

Background & Word Study

Psalms 89 (Sefaria)Ps 89 (Sefaria) Sefaria

Hebrew text with English and classical Jewish commentary on the psalm.

The Church Fathers

Psalm 89 (Catena Bible)Ps 89 (Catena Bible) Catena

Patristic and medieval comments on the psalm drawn from the church fathers.

Questions preachers ask

What is the Magnificat?

Mary's song at the Visitation praises the God who lifts up the lowly and fills the hungry with good things, casting down the proud and the mighty. It is the church's evening song of the great reversal.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Luke 1:26-38
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.