I. The perfections of his nature —
Unless we are fully aware of the desire which the Jewish women felt to have the Messiah spring from them, we shall not be able to account for the extreme grief occasioned by barrenness, or for the exultation arising from the birth of a child. But to all the common grounds of joy which Hannah had in the birth of Samuel, that of her deliverance from the taunts and insults of her rival was a great addition : and to that she had especial respect in the opening
of this song But, after this slight mention
of her own particular case, she proceeds to celebrate,
1. The power and holiness of God —
[God does not always intei-pose in this world to display his hatred of sin, or to vindicate the oppressed ; because tliere
282. J Hannah's song of thanksgiving. Ill
is a day coming, when he will rectify all the present inequalities of his moral government : but he does not leave himself alto- gether without witness, that he is a righteous Governor, and a powerful Avenger. His effectual interposition on this occa- sion was, in Hannah's eyes, a decisive proof, yea and a glo- rious exhibition too, of his holiness and power ; and gave her an assurance, that as these perfections were essential to his nature, and unbounded in their extent, so they should ever be called forth into activity in behalf of all wlio should trust in him ]
2. His wisdom and equity —
[Great was her consolation, that whilst she was judged uncharitably by her fellow-creatures, she had One to whom she could commit her cause; One who was privy to every thought of her heart, and would put a just construction upon the whole of her conduct : and, in the contemplation of this truth, she exulted over those who had so proudly and so arro- gantly condemned her. And truly this is one of the richest sources of consolation that any person can have, when suffer- ing under misrepresentations or calumnies of whatever kind: yea, it is quite sufficient to tranquillize the mind, and to raise it above all those feelings which oppression is calculated to produce* 1
li. The dispensations of his providence —
[Here the pious Hannah extends her views from herself to the world at large; and declares, that the change thus produced in her state, is illustrative of what is done by God throughout the whole creation. In the events of war — in the enjoyment of plenty — in the increase of families — in the con- tinuance of life — in the possession of wealth — and in advance- ment to honour — who does not see that the greatest changes take place, even when least expected^? and who therefore must not be convinced of the folly of indulging either presump- tuous confidence, on the one hand, or desponding fears on the other? None can say, "I am so strong, I shall never be moved;" nor ought any one to say, "There is no hope:" the afflicted should " weep, as though they wept not;" and the prosperous " rejoice, as though they rejoiced not ;" each being aware that their condition may soon be altered, and shall be, if God see it on the whole conducive to their good.]
III. The purposes of his grace —
From a view of temporal concerns, she rises to those which are spiritual and eternal : indeed here her words are evidently prophetic, and relate,
a 1 Cor. iv. 3—5. ^ yer. 4 — 8.