Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 1:52

52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

In these verses the Virgin celebrateth both the Power and justice of God, as she before had done his Holiness and his Mercy, and Godness. The strength of a Man is much seen in the effects of his arm; hence God, who hath no such part as we have, is yet spoken of as if he had an arm, by which no more is signified, then a mighty Power, by which he bringeth things to pass. Exod. 15.16. Isa. 40.10 & 89.13. Psal. 98.1. So in many other texts. He hath scattered the proud in the imaginations of their hearts: Iethro Exod. 18.11. knew that the Lord was above all Gods, because in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them. The Proud in Scripture often signifies wicked men, as the humble signifies good and holy men, but Proud in a strict sense, signifieth Men that have an high opinion of themselves, now there is nothing that a Proud Man dealeth more Proudly in, then in following the imaginations of his own heart. There (saith Mary) God scattereth them, turning their Counsels into folly, and con [illegible: 1 letter]ounding them in their own imaginations. He hath put down the mighty from their Seat, thus he did by Pharoah, Nebuchadnezar, &c. he pulls down some, and sets up others. Promotion is not from the East, nor from the West, and exalteth them of low degree, this is Gods way, thus he exalted Moses, Ioseph, Iacob, David. God thus sheweth his mighty Power, and superintendency upon mens affairs. He doth what he pleaseth with Men, yet what he doth is infinitely Wise just and good.

Marginal references: 1 Sam. 2.6. &c. Job. 5.11. Psal. 113.6.