The concept of magnifying in the Bible is often associated with the act of exalting, glorifying, or making great the name and works of God. It is a theme that runs throughout both the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing the believer's response to God's majesty and deeds.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "magnify" is "gadal," which means to grow, become great, or make great. One of the most notable instances of magnifying God is found in the Psalms. Psalm 34:3 invites believers to join in this act: "Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together." This verse highlights the communal aspect of worship, where believers collectively acknowledge and proclaim the greatness of God.

Another significant reference is found in 1 Chronicles 29:11 , where David praises God during the assembly: "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in heaven and on earth is Yours." Here, magnifying God is linked to recognizing His sovereignty and ownership over all creation.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the Greek word "megalynō" is used, which similarly means to make great or to exalt. The Magnificat, or Mary's Song of Praise, in Luke 1:46-47 is a profound example: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." Mary's response to the announcement of Jesus' birth is one of deep personal worship and acknowledgment of God's mighty works.

The Apostle Paul also speaks of magnifying Christ in his life. In Philippians 1:20 , he expresses his earnest expectation and hope "that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness, so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death." For Paul, magnifying Christ is a central purpose of his existence, whether through living or dying.

Theological Implications

Magnifying God is not merely about verbal praise but involves a lifestyle that reflects His greatness. It encompasses worship, obedience, and a heart posture that seeks to honor God in all aspects of life. The act of magnifying God is both a privilege and a duty for believers, as it aligns with the biblical call to glorify God in all things (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to magnify God through various means, including prayer, worship, and daily conduct. Singing hymns and spiritual songs, as mentioned in Ephesians 5:19 , is one way to express this magnification: "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord." Additionally, living a life that reflects God's character and commands serves as a testament to His greatness.

In summary, magnifying God is a central theme in Scripture, calling believers to exalt His name and works through worship, obedience, and a life that reflects His glory.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Magnify.

A Harp of Ten Strings
... made of her for her high position, she had begun to magnify the Lord; and when once
a soul has a deep sense of God's mercy, and begins magnifying him, there is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/a harp of ten strings.htm

The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
... (7). Afflictions work for good, as they are a magnifying of us. ... It is a
magnifying of us, that God thinks us worthy to be smitten. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the worst things work for.htm

The Key-Note of a Choice Sonnet
... Exalt him when he exalts you. You will perhaps tell me that the Virgin had very
especial reason for magnifying the Lord, and I answer, Assuredly she had. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the key-note of a choice.htm

Holy Song from Happy Saints
... important matter, though the reclamation of backsliders calls for earnest attention,
yet never, never, never may we cease from praising and magnifying the name ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/holy song from happy saints.htm

Circumstances and Consequences
... way'. Fear is like a great magnifying-glass; or one of those mirrors which
give a distorted image of things reflected in them. This ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/viii circumstances and consequences.htm

Man the Vehicle for Exhibiting God's Perfections.
... God help us. Living for God, honoring his Word, magnifying his name"this is the
duty of man. Awful responsibility! Oh, what carefulness it should work in us. ...
/.../orr/how to live a holy life/man the vehicle for exhibiting.htm

The Doxology
... suppose that to puzzle and astonish him still more, I took a chance drop of water
out of any standing pool, and showed him through a magnifying-glass, in that ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon x the doxology.htm

The Ascension of Messiah to Glory
... be compared to the delicate engravings on a seal, the beauty and proportions of
which cannot be plainly discerned without the assistance of a magnifying glass. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxvi the ascension of.htm

Vision First. Against Filthy and Proud Thoughts, and the ...
... A short time after this, as I was walking on my road to the villages, [22] and
magnifying the creatures of God, and thinking how magnificent, and beautiful ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/vision first against filthy and.htm

Synopsis. --The Present Net Results of the Discussion of the ...
... Historic doubts attack remote events, especially when of the extraordinary character
which tempts the narrator to that magnifying of the marvellous which ...
/.../miracles and supernatural religion/ii synopsis the present net results.htm

Magnifying (6 Occurrences)
...Magnifying (6 Occurrences). Acts 5:13 and of the rest no one was daring to join
himself to them, but the people were magnifying them, (YLT). ...
/m/magnifying.htm - 8k

Magnify (25 Occurrences)
... Luke 1:46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, (KJV ASV WBS YLT). Acts
10:46 For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God. ...
/m/magnify.htm - 15k

Library
... amount of text had frequently to be compressed into a small space, the writing is
sometimes so minute as to need the assistance of a magnifying glass before it ...
/l/library.htm - 16k

Quieteth (3 Occurrences)
... Quieteth (3 Occurrences). Job 12:23 Magnifying the nations, and He destroyeth
them, Spreading out the nations, and He quieteth them. (YLT). ...
/q/quieteth.htm - 7k

Nations (683 Occurrences)
... desire of all nations? And finally, what comfort would a Jew find in this
magnifying of the Gentiles? (2) These difficulties, though ...
/n/nations.htm - 58k

Exalting (10 Occurrences)
... exalted.' (YLT). Acts 10:46 For they heard them speaking in other languages
and magnifying God. Then Peter answered, (See NAS). 2 ...
/e/exalting.htm - 9k

Esteem (25 Occurrences)
... WEY). Acts 5:13 and of the rest no one was daring to join himself to them,
but the people were magnifying them, (See NAS). Romans ...
/e/esteem.htm - 17k

Desire (565 Occurrences)
... desire of all nations? And finally, what comfort would a Jew find in this
magnifying of the Gentiles? (2) These difficulties, though ...
/d/desire.htm - 43k

Daring (5 Occurrences)
... Daring (5 Occurrences). Acts 5:13 and of the rest no one was daring to join
himself to them, but the people were magnifying them, (YLT). ...
/d/daring.htm - 8k

Magnitude (1 Occurrence)

/m/magnitude.htm - 7k

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