*Psalm 8:1-9
Psalm 8 expresses awe at God’s majesty and the honor bestowed on humanity.
- Majesty of God’s Name:
- The psalmist begins by acknowledging the majesty of God’s name in all the earth, praising His glory and greatness above the heavens.
- He marvels at how God has set His glory above the heavens and ordained praise from the mouths of infants and children to silence His enemies and those who oppose Him.
- Humanity’s Place in Creation:
- The psalmist reflects on the insignificance of humanity in comparison to the vastness of the cosmos, asking why God would even pay attention to mere mortals.
- Despite humanity’s smallness, God has crowned them with glory and honor, giving them dominion over the works of His hands and placing all things under their feet.
- Wonder at Creation:
- The psalmist expresses wonder at God’s creation, marveling at the beauty and order of the heavens, the moon, and the stars, which God has established.
- He acknowledges that God’s creation reflects His glory and greatness, leaving humanity in awe of His power and majesty.
- Closing Reflection:
- The psalmist concludes by praising God for His majestic name and His wondrous works in all the earth, declaring His glory above the heavens.
8:1 O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
8:6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
8:7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
8:8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
8:9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!