And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him.
και το ελεος αυτου εις γενεας γενεων τοις φοβουμενοις αυτον
10 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Or by this she means that they who fear shall obtain mercy, both in that generation, (that is, the present world,) and the generation which is to come, (i. e. the life everlasting.) For now they receive a hundred-fold, but hereafter far more. (Matt. 19:29.)
Expressions such as “in generation and generation” and “in the generations of generations” in the Scriptures convey the meaning of ‘eternally.’ She therefore reveals that His mercy lasts forever for those who revere Him, echoing the sentiment of David, who proclaimed, “But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him.” She further lists additional attributes of God, a practice common among those who offer Him gratitude.
For the mercy of God is not upon one generation, but extends to eternity from generation to generation.
According to the mercy which He hath upon generations of generations, I conceive, and He Himself is united to a living body, out of mercy alone undertaking our salvation. Nor is His mercy shewn indiscriminately, but upon those who are constrained by the fear of Him in every nation; as it is said, upon those who fear him, that is, upon those who being brought by repentance are turned to faith and renewal for the obstinate unbelievers have by their sin shut against themselves the gate of mercy.
Turning from God’s special gifts to His general dealings, she describes the condition of the whole human race, And his mercy is from generation to generation on them that fear him. As if she said, Not only for me hath He that is mighty done great things, but in every nation he that feareth God is accepted by Him.
The awareness of the grace granted to Her by God prompts Her to reflect on the divine qualities that bring goodness to humanity, particularly His great mercy. This mercy is such that, for the sake of one righteous individual, numerous descendants are blessed. Numerous verses in the Old Testament illustrate how God extends His compassion to the children because of a righteous ancestor, while conversely, a son may carry the iniquities of his father. This divine characteristic is most vividly revealed in the Messiah. The Messiah was provided to the Hebrew people, who at that moment were the most wayward, precisely because Divine Providence remembered the pledges made by the prophets to the holy ancestors.
The Hebrew people, unlike other nations, were favored in that they witnessed the Messiah, the God-Man, with their own eyes, a unique blessing they inherited from their forebears. Here, we also recognize the profound humility of Mary. She declares, "In me, God has looked upon humility," yet she acknowledges that humility alone is not enough to invoke His mercy. Rather, her ancestors’ righteousness ensured that her humility was fruitful, able to catch the gaze of God. This is reflected in the Gospel narratives of the life of Jesus, particularly in Mary’s meeting with Elizabeth.
His compassion endures eternally for those who revere Him.
The joyful and divine greeting that Mary received from Elizabeth filled her with profound delight, prompting her to express her overwhelming joy and gratitude to God, the Savior, through an inspired hymn. This hymn can be seen in several parts: verses 46-47 serve as an introduction, setting the tone for what follows and highlighting the theme of praise—God as Savior. The concept of salvation is understood in a Messianic context. In verse 48 and the first half of verse 49, God as Savior is praised in relation to Mary. The lineage of David was in a diminished state, and its descendants did not hold a prominent social status. Yet, amidst this humble and unassuming family, Mary regarded herself as the least favored.
Nevertheless, the Lord took notice of her modest condition; thus, all future generations will honor her as the mother of the Savior, the Messiah. Mary's elevation is a testament to God's omnipotence, and in her exaltation of Him, she describes Him as mighty. The latter part of verse 49 and verse 60 serve as a transition to praising God for the salvation of the people of Israel, which is elaborated upon in verses 51-55. In this transitional reflection, a general thought emerges, summarizing God's actions on behalf of Mary: God is holy and infinitely merciful to those who seek holiness and strive for salvation with reverent awe. This holiness and mercy of God are foundational to what He has accomplished through the Messiah for the people of Israel (verses 54-55, where the exceptional mercies promised to Abraham and his descendants are referenced), which Mary prophetically considers as already fulfilled (indicated by the use of past tense verbs). In the latter portion of her hymn, the expressions are first general and figurative (verses 51-53), transitioning to a clear depiction (in verses 54-55) of the humble and the hungry, whom God will suddenly uplift from their lowly state, showcasing His omnipotent might (referred to as 'the power of His muscle'). Thus, it becomes evident who these individuals are—the proud in spirit, the powerful, and the wealthy—who represent the Gentiles that dominated the world, particularly over Israel. Until that moment, it appeared that the Lord had entirely forgotten and forsaken His people, Israel, allowing the Gentiles to exert their rule. However, He now embraces them anew with His love, fulfilling the mercies He promised to Abraham and his descendants, which are destined to endure eternally, as these mercies are realized through the Messiah, the eternal King upon David's throne.
Aware of her unparalleled significance and the universal honor that lies ahead, the Blessed Mary, remarkably uplifted in her humility, confidently foresees her future role. While she views herself merely as a vessel of divine will, she stands as the preeminent figure among the chosen women, becoming the channel through which the Messiah will enter the world. “He showed the strength of His arm, He scattered the haughty from the thoughts of their hearts; He cast down the mighty from their thrones, and lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things, and let the rich go with nothing.” These verses encapsulate the central message of the gospel: that true power and abundance stem from humility. God requires no assistance from us in fulfilling His plan.
It is essential to adopt a posture of humility and acknowledge our own insignificance to be welcomed by God. The arrogant Pharisees and the influential elites of this world, such as Herod and Caesar, faced rejection, while the humble virgin of Israel received the honor of being universally celebrated in both heaven and earth. The reign of pride, oppression, and affluence has come to an end. God dismisses these elements in favor of bestowing His love, holiness, and the brilliance of His glory upon humility, gentle submission, and lack of material wealth.
His compassion: the gracious kindness of the Holy One extended to those who sin. To all generations: throughout ages, from parents to their children, from forebears to their heirs, eternally. To those who revere Him: to righteous and virtuous individuals. The reverence of God serves as the foundation and source of true devotion; it is not a fear that estranges love for the one feared, but rather a fear rooted in the concern that the loving God may be grieved by violations of His commands.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 11 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS