And now the depths of this silent woman's soul break forth into a song of praise and thanksgiving. Hannah rises before us as the inspired poetess, and her song bears a striking resemblance in theme and in cast of thought to that of Mary the mother of Jesus, years after. Indeed, there is in the whole history of this sacred and consecrated child, a foreshadowing of that more celestial flower of Nazareth that should yet arise from the Judæan stock. This idea of a future Messiah and King permeated every pious soul in the nation, and gave a solemn intensity to the usual rejoicings of motherhood; for who knew whether the auspicious child might not spring from her lineage! We see, in the last verse of this poem, that Hannah's thoughts in her hour of joy fix themselves on the glorious future of the coming King and Anointed One as the climax of her joy. It will be interesting to compare this song of Hannah with that of Mary, and notice how completely the ideas of the earlier mother had melted and transfused themselves into the heart of Mary. Years after, when the gathering forces of the Church and State were beginning to muster themselves against Martin Luther, and he stood as one man against a world, he took refuge in this song of the happy woman; printed it as a tract, with pointed commentaries, and spread it all over Europe; and in thousands of hamlets hearts were beating to the heroic words of the Judæan mother:-- "My heart rejoiceth in Jehovah, My horn is exalted in Jehovah; My speech shall flow out over my enemies, Because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as Jehovah: For there is none beside thee: Neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more so exceeding proudly; Let not arrogance come out of thy mouth: For Jehovah is a God of knowledge, By him are actions weighed. The bows of mighty men are broken, But the weak are girded with strength. The rich have hired out for bread; But the hungry cease from want. The barren woman hath borne seven; The fruitful one hath grown feeble. Jehovah killeth and maketh alive; He bringeth down to the grave and bringeth up. Jehovah maketh poor and maketh rich; He bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth the poor out of the dust, He lifteth the beggar from the dunghill, To set them among princes, To make them inherit the throne of glory; For the pillars of the earth are Jehovah's, He hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, The wicked shall be silent in darkness; For by strength no man shall prevail. The adversaries of Jehovah shall be broken to pieces; Out of heaven shall he thunder upon them. Jehovah shall judge the ends of the earth; He shall give strength unto his King, And exalt the horn of his Anointed."