“God
Has helped
His servant!
Israel!
In remembrance
Of his mercy.”
ἀντελάβετο Ἰσραὴλ παιδὸς αὐτοῦ, μνησθῆναι ἐλέους,
This canticle takes on a different tone as there was now an emphasis on Israel, the country. Luke indicated that Mary said that God had helped Israel (ἀντελάβετο Ἰσραὴλ), his servant or male slave (παιδὸς αὐτοῦ), by remembering his mercy (μνησθῆναι ἐλέους). Mary was a true daughter of Israel. She wanted God’s mercy for her country.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 