Discovery BoxLuke 1:50-53 
Context1:50 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 tn Grk “and from.” Here καί (kai) has been translated by a semicolon to improve the English style.
2 sn God’s mercy refers to his “loyal love” or “steadfast love,” expressed in faithful actions, as the rest of the psalm illustrates.
3 tn That is, “who revere.” This refers to those who show God a reverential respect for his sovereignty.
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.
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.
6 tn Or “rulers.”
7 tn Or “those of humble position”
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).
8 sn Good things refers not merely to material blessings, but blessings that come from knowing God.
9 sn Another fundamental contrast of Luke’s is between the hungry and the rich (Luke 6:20-26).
