Lukas 1:50-55
Konteks1:50 from 1 generation to generation he is merciful 2 to those who fear 3 him.
1:51 He has demonstrated power 4 with his arm; he has scattered those whose pride wells up from the sheer arrogance 5 of their hearts.
1:52 He has brought down the mighty 6 from their thrones, and has lifted up those of lowly position; 7
1:53 he has filled the hungry with good things, 8 and has sent the rich away empty. 9
1:54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering 10 his mercy, 11
1:55 as he promised 12 to our ancestors, 13 to Abraham and to his descendants 14 forever.”
[1:50] 1 tn Grk “and from.” Here καί (kai) has been translated by a semicolon to improve the English style.
[1:50] 2 sn God’s mercy refers to his “loyal love” or “steadfast love,” expressed in faithful actions, as the rest of the psalm illustrates.
[1:50] 3 tn That is, “who revere.” This refers to those who show God a reverential respect for his sovereignty.
[1:51] 4 tn Or “shown strength,” “performed powerful deeds.” The verbs here switch to aorist tense through 1:55. This is how God will act in general for his people as they look to his ultimate deliverance.
[1:51] 5 tn Grk “in the imaginations of their hearts.” The psalm rebukes the arrogance of the proud, who think that power is their sovereign right. Here διανοίᾳ (dianoia) can be understood as a dative of sphere or reference/respect.
[1:52] 7 tn Or “those of humble position”
[1:52] sn The contrast between the mighty and those of lowly position is fundamental for Luke. God cares for those that the powerful ignore (Luke 4:18-19).
[1:53] 8 sn Good things refers not merely to material blessings, but blessings that come from knowing God.
[1:53] 9 sn Another fundamental contrast of Luke’s is between the hungry and the rich (Luke 6:20-26).
[1:54] 10 tn Or “because he remembered mercy,” understanding the infinitive as causal.
[1:54] 11 tn Or “his [God’s] loyal love.”
[1:55] 12 tn Grk “as he spoke.” Since this is a reference to the covenant to Abraham, ἐλάλησεν (elalhsen) can be translated in context “as he promised.” God keeps his word.
[1:55] 14 tn Grk “his seed” (an idiom for offspring or descendants).