Every Saturday for the next few weeks I’m going to be playing and posting a song that means a lot to me. This week’s song is “Holy Is His Name,” by John Michael Talbot. The video is below, followed by some brief remarks on why this song matters to me.

When the Angel Gabriel tells Mary she is going to be pregnant with Israel’s Messiah, she sings this song. The music is from John Michael Talbot, but the words are from Mary herself, as given to us in Luke’s Gospel.

I sing this song every year during our Lessons and Carols service after Christmas; I think its power comes from the way Mary so perfectly understands what the coming of the Messiah means to God’s people:

He has cast down the mighty in their arrogance

And remembered the meek and the lowly.

It’s not Christmastime, but I think we could all use a bit of Christmas cheer right now.

May this song bless you as much as it blesses me.

Holy Is His Name, by John Michael Talbot

Verse 1:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

and my spirit exalts in God my Savior.

For he has looked with mercy on my lowliness,

and my name will be forever exalted.

For the mighty God has done great things for me,

and his mercy will reach from age to age.

Chorus:

And holy, holy, holy is his name.

Verse 2:

He has mercy in every generation.

He has revealed his power and his glory.

He has cast down the mighty in their arrogance,

and has lifted up the meek and the lowly.

He has come to help his servant Israel;

he remembers his promise to our fathers.