ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 FALAITE MA’ASI 27, 2026

1 SAMIUELA 1-3; Luke 1:46-55

God's grace should make you sing. What better songs could you sing than ones about his power, his mercy, his forgiveness, and his love?

Ko e kelesi ‘a e ‘Otua ‘oku totonu ke ne ue’i koe ke ke hiva. Ko e ha ha hiva ‘e toe lelei ange ka ko e hiva kau ki hono mafi, meesi, fakamolemole mo ‘ene ‘ofa?

I grew up in a singing family. My sister played the piano, and I think my mom had memorized the entire hymnal. I grew up singing the great hymns of the faith, and I can still sing most of them without looking at the written words. I am thankful for the world of song. Songs give wings to the emotions of our hearts. With songs we celebrate, and with songs we mourn. With songs we remind ourselves of who we are and who God is. Songs commemorate huge victories and dark defeats. But the thing I like best about songs is their ability to paint in our minds the deep truths of the word of God in ways that are beautiful and memorable. Some of the most beautiful and penetrating theology ever written is found in the great hymns of the church. I love that the church will never stop writing and singing new songs of God's glory and redeeming grace.

First Samuel 2 records Hannah's song of thanksgiving and praise. She sang this song after God heard her cries as a barren woman and gave her a son, Samuel. Hannah's song is exuberant and joyful, and also theologically rich and deep. It reads much like a psalm and, as with the Psalms, we need to slow down, spend time in it, and let its content fill our minds and grip our hearts. In her song Hannah reminds us of who God is and where true and lasting hope and joy are to be found. Here is a portion her song:

The LORD kills and brings to life;

he brings down to Sheol and raises up.

The LORD makes poor and makes rich;

he brings low and he exalts.

He raises up the poor from the dust;

he lifts the needy from the ash heap

to make them sit with princes

and inherit a seat of honor.

For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's,

and on them he has set the world.

He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,

but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,

for not by might shall a man prevail.

The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces;

against them he will thunder in heaven.

The LORD will judge the ends of the earth;

he will give strength to his king

and exalt the horn of his anointed. (1 Sam. 2:6-10)

Hannah reminds us that life and death are in the Lord's hands. And, along with his awesome power, he meets the poor and hungry with mercy and tenderheartedness. I find the final words of her song striking: "He will give strength to his king / and exalt the power of his anointed." Here Hannah, speaking better than she knows, points us to the coming of the ultimate victorious King, Jesus. Every song of sovereignty and grace points us ultimately to him.