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Hannah Gives Thanks

Hannah prayed:

“The Lord has filled my heart with joy;
    I feel very strong in the Lord.
I can laugh at my enemies;
    I am glad because you have helped me!

“There is no one holy like the Lord.
    There is no God but you;
    there is no Rock like our God.

“Don’t continue bragging,
    don’t speak proud words.
The Lord is a God who knows everything,
    and he judges what people do.

“The bows of warriors break,
    but weak people become strong.
Those who once had plenty of food now must work for food,
    but people who were hungry are hungry no more.
The woman who could not have children now has seven,
    but the woman who had many children now is sad.

“The Lord sends death,
    and he brings to life.
He sends people to the grave,
    and he raises them to life again.
The Lord makes some people poor,
    and others he makes rich.
He makes some people humble,
    and others he makes great.
The Lord raises the poor up from the dust,
    and he lifts the needy from the ashes.
He lets the poor sit with princes
    and receive a throne of honor.

“The foundations of the earth belong to the Lord,
    and the Lord set the world upon them.
He protects those who are loyal to him,
    but evil people will be silenced in darkness.
    Power is not the key to success.
10 The Lord destroys his enemies;
    he will thunder in heaven against them.
The Lord will judge all the earth.
    He will give power to his king
    and make his appointed king strong.”

Eli’s Evil Sons

11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy continued to serve the Lord under Eli the priest.

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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.
He will guard the feet(AA) of his faithful servants,(AB)
    but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.(AC)

“It is not by strength(AD) that one prevails;
10     those who oppose the Lord will be broken.(AE)
The Most High will thunder(AF) from heaven;
    the Lord will judge(AG) the ends of the earth.

“He will give strength(AH) to his king
    and exalt the horn(AI) of his anointed.”

11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah,(AJ) but the boy ministered(AK) before the Lord under Eli the priest.

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Footnotes

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