• The Bible Studies for Life lesson for Jan. 17 focuses on Psalm 8:1-8.
On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the moon, putting humans on the lunar surface for the first time. Two astronauts—Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin—spent just under a day on the moon. Before leaving, they left behind messages from 73 world leaders recorded on a silicone disc about the size of a 50-cent piece. One of those selected to write a message was Pope Paul VI representing the Vatican. His message, appropriately enough, was Psalm 8.
The psalmist looked at creation and contemplated the creator. At the same time, he found his place in the universe. Psalm 8 focuses on creation, and it contains royal imagery as a secondary theme. God is described in terms usually reserved for royalty.
God created us for his glory (Psalm 8:1-2).
Psalm 8 breaks the series of the previous five psalms that focused on laments and pleas for deliverance. This psalm brings light to the psalter using brilliant words to describe God’s majesty.
The initial word of Psalm 8 is God’s covenant name, Yahweh, usually translated in English translations as “Lord” with the last three letters of the word written in small capital letters. No other hymn of praise in Psalms begins with this word, God’s name.
God’s name reveals his character. The name was first given in Exodus 3:14, and it is a form of the Hebrew “be” verb and not a noun. By revealing his name as a verb, God shows he is an active God. He has worked in the past, and he will work in the future. In fact, Exodus 3:14 could be translated, “I will be who I will be.” He is all the God we need now and forever.
God’s name is majestic. He is impressive in his mighty power. At the same time, his name is regal. He is the king of the universe he created. In v. 1, the words “Lord” (without the small capital letters) and “glory” are royal terms frequently used to describe kings.
Thus, God is worthy of praise. Even children and infants praise God, for his protection is effectual. He silences enemies while the children and infants praise him. Their sounds of praise will be heard.
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God crowns us with his glory (Psalm 8:3-8).
The writer reveals the setting of the psalm in verse 3. Evidently, he wandered outdoors at night and looked at the heavenly wonders lighting the sky. He saw God’s handiwork in the stars and moon with each put into the specific place where God wanted them. In the face of such immense grandeur and beauty, the psalmist couldn’t help but ask, “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (verse 4).
In comparison to the vast expanse of the universe, each person may feel so extremely small, but God does not see anyone this way. He made humans “a little lower than the angels” (verse 5). Some translations use the word “God” instead of “angels.” Although there may be disagreement about how to translate this word exactly, the meaning is clear. God bestows the highest possible honor on humanity. Each person is crowned with “glory and honor” (verse 5).
Rolf Jacobson in his interpretation of these verses comments that humans are crowned with royal responsibility. Just as a king has responsibilities over his kingdom due to his lofty position, so, too, do humans have responsibilities in their realm of influence due to their lofty position in creation. Verses 6-8 list the specific responsibilities. People are responsible to care for creation and the environment including all animal life. The earth is to be treasured and not trashed.
Of course, human life itself is to be prized as the crown of all of God’s creation. This too is a royal responsibility everyone has. All life is sacred and must be valued as such. Jesus emphasized this teaching when he said in the Sermon on the Mount, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
Relationship to God
Another responsibility of humanity is implied in the psalm itself. Each person has the responsibility to have a relationship with God. The psalmist knew God, he recognized his handiwork, and he gave him the appropriate praise and worship. God desires a relationship with everyone, and calls each person to reach out to him in faith. In the new covenant revealed in the New Testament, this relationship comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
The writer of Hebrews saw in Psalm 8 a greater fulfillment of these verses than has been discussed already. In Hebrews 2:5-9, the writer of the epistle applied Psalm 8 to Jesus Christ, emphasizing his incarnation and exaltation.
The psalm ends where it began. The first and last verses contain the same wording in acknowledging the majestic name of God. It is a poem about God and about people. God is worthy of praise, which the whole of creation reveals. Humanity holds a glorious position in glory in God’s creation. Who are we? We are someone special in all of God’s created works.
Many of us live in cities where the lights block out so much of the nighttime sky’s beauty. At the next opportunity, go outside at night away from the city lights and just gaze up at the stars. Reflect on this psalm and tell God how wonderful he is.
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