Hannah's Prayer

And Hannah prayed and said,

(A)“My heart exults in the Lord;
    (B)my horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,
    because (C)I rejoice in your salvation.

(D)“There is none holy like the Lord:
    for there is none besides you;
    there is (E)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.
(F)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.
(G)The barren has borne seven,
    (H)but she who has many children is forlorn.
(I)The Lord kills and brings to life;
    he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
(J)The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
    (K)he brings low and he exalts.
(L)He raises up the poor from the dust;
    he lifts the needy from the ash heap
(M)to make them sit with princes
    and inherit a seat of honor.
(N)For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's,
    and on them he has set the world.

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Hannah’s Prayer

Then Hannah prayed and said:(A)

“My heart rejoices(B) in the Lord;
    in the Lord my horn[a](C) is lifted high.
My mouth boasts(D) over my enemies,(E)
    for I delight in your deliverance.

“There is no one holy(F) like(G) the Lord;
    there is no one besides you;
    there is no Rock(H) like our God.

“Do not keep talking so proudly
    or let your mouth speak such arrogance,(I)
for the Lord is a God who knows,(J)
    and by him deeds(K) are weighed.(L)

“The bows of the warriors are broken,(M)
    but those who stumbled are armed with strength.(N)
Those who were full hire themselves out for food,
    but those who were hungry(O) are hungry no more.
She who was barren(P) has borne seven children,
    but she who has had many sons pines away.

“The Lord brings death and makes alive;(Q)
    he brings down to the grave and raises up.(R)
The Lord sends poverty and wealth;(S)
    he humbles and he exalts.(T)
He raises(U) the poor(V) from the dust(W)
    and lifts the needy(X) from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
    and has them inherit a throne of honor.(Y)

“For the foundations(Z) of the earth are the Lord’s;
    on them he has set the world.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 2:1 Horn here symbolizes strength; also in verse 10.