Luke 1:46-56

Is there not reason to apprehend that we presume upon a great deal of mercy that is not really accorded? We know that the world takes for granted that God forgives it, and reserves all its anxiety for matters that seem to it invested with much more difficulty. But may it not be that we, who consider ourselves, on apparently good grounds, as God's real children, that we are daily presuming on God's forgiveness when that forgiveness is not really pronounced? We are not notified of forgiveness...

Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? § Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; nor are there any works like Your works. § Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. § Hallowed be Your name.Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people. § Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah, this One who is glorious in His...

Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.If you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear. § The Lord is near...

You say, “I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing”— and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. § The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, their tongues fail for thirst. I, the Lord, will hear them;...

One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. § He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. § I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never...

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. § I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. § Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever.Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and...

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing … Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. § For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.He … did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for...