Luke 1:68

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, etc.] This was a form of blessing of long standing, (<197218>Psalm 72:18) and very likely was in use, more or less, ever since Israel was distinguished from other nations, became a body politic, and were settled in the land of Canaan, in the enjoyment of peculiar privileges, both civil and religious; see other forms before it in (<010926>Genesis 9:26 24:27 <021810>Exodus 18:10) and now, this was very near being antiquated, and out of date; for upon the birth of Christ, the Son of God manifest in the flesh, the New Testament form of blessing runs, as in (<470103>2 Corinthians 1:3 Ep 1:3 <600103>1 Peter 1:3) The reason of its being now made use of might be,…”

“There is not a word in this noble burst of divine song about his own child; like Elisabeth losing sight entirely of self, in the glory of a Greater than both. Lord God of Israel--the ancient covenant God of the peculiar people. visited and redeemed--that is, in order to redeem: returned after long absence, and broken His long silence (see Mat 15:31). In the Old Testament, God is said to "visit" chiefly for judgment, in the New Testament for mercy. Zacharias would, as yet, have but imperfect views of such "visiting and redeeming," "saving from and delivering out of the hand of enemies" (Luk 1:71, Luk 1:74). But this Old Testament phraseology, used at first with a lower reference, is, when…”

“Blessed - See the notes at Matthew 5:3. Hath visited - The word here rendered “visited” means properly “to look upon;” then to look upon in order “to know the state of anyone;” then to visit for the purpose of “aiding those who need aid,” or alleviating misery. Compare Matthew 25:43. In this sense it is used here. God “looked upon” the world - he saw it miserable - he came to relieve it, and brought salvation. And redeemed - That is, was “about to redeem,” or had given the pledge that he “would redeem.” This was spoken under the belief that the Messiah, “the Redeemer,” was about to appear, and would certainly accomplish his work. The literal translation of this passage is, “He hath made a…”

“1:68 he has visited and redeemed his people: This recalls the exodus from Egypt, when God rescued his people from Pharaoh (Exod 3:7-10, 17-20).”

“Blessed: Gen 9:26, Gen 14:20; Kg1 1:48; Ch1 29:10, Ch1 29:20; Psa 41:13, Psa 72:17-19, Psa 106:48; Eph 1:3; Pe1 1:3 he: Luk 7:16, Luk 19:44; Exo 3:16, Exo 3:17, Exo 4:31; Psa 111:9; Eph 1:7 Luke 1:69”