Read Psalm 8
For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of David.
1 Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
5 You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Go Deeper
Psalm 8 begins and ends by proclaiming God’s majesty (some Biblical interpretations use “excellent” instead). Because it holds the important place of the start and finish to David’s song, let’s dig a little deeper to understand the meaning.
Psalm 8 claims the Lord’s name is majestic, or “addir” in Hebrew. This was the same word used to describe kings, nobles, and rulers – those who held authority over lands, nations, and people. Their words would determine the fate of countries and write the history of civilizations. So, when David proclaims that the Lord’s name is “addir,” we know the song will speak to the power and authority of God as creator and ruler.
In Psalm 8, we see David mirror Genesis 1, where God creates the heavens, the earth, and all its inhabitants. God breathed words and galaxies materialized, some of which we haven’t even discovered yet. He subdued the raging waters with earth to create land that bears fruit. He carefully designed each bird, animal, and sea creature for His specific purpose, and it began to fly, run, and swim at His command. Then, He created humans, which seem so small compared to the vastness of the universe, and yet, it all was created with us in mind. Not only do we get to be here, created and living in the midst of His glory, but then He bestowed on us the power and authority over all His creation. What an awesome responsibility we hold!
How often do we take a moment to recognize this? In the midst of our work, school, and schedules, we mistakenly can begin to think our lives revolve around our activities in our world. The truth is our lives were created to actively care for God’s activities in His world. We (humans) have been anointed His representatives on earth with “a crown of glory and honor” (verse 5) so that we might share in the joy of His majesty.
Questions
- When you hear the word “majesty,” what images or descriptions come to mind?
- What are the actions we should take as God’s representatives on earth created to actively care for God’s activities in His world?
- When you consider all the things God made in Genesis 1, which amazes you most? Take time to read this account in Genesis 1, visualize God’s creation, and praise Him.
Did You Know?
At the beginning of this chapter, David gives directions to the musical director that the song should be sung “according to gittith.” Historians believe a gittith was a stringed instrument fashioned in Gath, a city-state of the Philistines. David spent time there when running from Saul (1 Samuel 21), and it was Goliath’s hometown (2 Samuel 21).
7 responses to “Psalm 8”
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
Psalm 8:3-4
No more words needed by me…
Just Worship!
Amen!
Even though we are small in a vast universe, we are deeply seen, valued and entrusted by a majestic God.
My response is awe, humility, and worship.
Lord, when I look at Your creation, help me to see Your greatness and not lose sight of Your closeness. Teach me to walk in humility and live in a way that reflects Your glory. In Jesus name, Amen
1 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.
Awestruck!
PS – The song, “How Majestic Is Thy Name”, by Keith Green is very helpful for memorizing this passage!
https://youtu.be/YFzPpjNqCE4?si=rS4gJjkwplsdeTJ6
What a perfect time of year to read this Psalm and reflect on creation! New life is literally popping out everywhere I look. The Red Oaks down our driveway are leafing out, the peach trees are setting blooms of delicate pink, bluebonnets are displaying their lovely flowers, & green grass has replaced the brown cover of winter. The song in my heart is “How Great Thou Art”.
V 3and 4 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, [4] what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?
To be mindful of or to remember what God has done and is doing is amazingly comprehensible and incomprehensible all at the same time.
Hebrews 2:5-9
For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. [6] It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? [7] You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, [8] putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. [9] But we [do] see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
God I do not know what heaven will look like but I am longing and yearning for that time. I endeavor to sit at Your feet here and now to be mindful of or remember what You have done and are doing now in the moments. I have a difficult time jumping to what is coming. My life was rocking and rolling along. I felt like I was loving You well, God, serving and loving others also. Now I am questioning what and how either man is throwing at me or is it You God, who wants me to serve You in a different manner? God I am asking for You and You alone to guide me with Your wisdom, knowledge and understanding with extreme clarity. I believe so help me overcome my unbelief. God, You are so amazing, beyond anything my brain can imagine. I am so thankful for Your word that gives me words to praise You back with. God how majestic is your name in all the earth! I will rejoice and be glad in it. God help me be mindful of this day, these minutes of this day to love on You, Your people, YOur creation, and for having these minutes to breath You in Jesus name amen.