The Old Testament woman Hannah was without a child for many years. In Old Testament days, being childless was perceived as being a shameful, embarassing thing; even a curse from God. Having no child grieved this godly woman greatly, and she prayed that God would remove her shame. God answered her prayer and granted her a son. This son she named Samuel, or “God has heard.”
To display her heart of gratitude, Hannah dedicated her son to the Lord and gave him to service in the temple. When the day came for Hannah to leave her son in the service of God, she joyfully poured out her heart in this beautiful song of praise.
It is intersting to note that while the Bible refers to this song as a prayer, there is not one request mentioned in it. It is simply adoring God for being the great God that He is. “Who is like the LORD?” I highly doubt that Hannah was what we would term a theologian; yet is amazing how much she knew about the character of God. Consider the following attributes of God in this prayer: mercy, sovereignty, omnipotence and strength. What attributes can you find?
Also interesting to note is the constant theme of God exalting the humble and bringing down the proud. This theme is reflected countless times throughout the Bible. Let us remember that we are nothing and that God is everything.
The Prayer of Hannah
And Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the LORD;
my strength is exalted in the LORD.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.
“There is none holy like the LORD;
there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.
Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the LORD is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble bind on strength.
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.
The LORD kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low and he exalts.
He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s,
and on them he has set the world.
“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,
for not by might shall a man prevail.
The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces;
against them he will thunder in heaven.
The LORD will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king
and exalt the power of his anointed.”
1 Comment
July 24, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Thanks for bringing this beautiful prayer to my attention. I honestly hadn’t studied it before. However, as a mother, I’ve always been impressed with Hannah’s faith and in her willingness to follow through with her promise to turn her son over to God. All mothers would be better off if we could just do that: turn our children over to Him.