” O Lord, Our Lord How Majestic is Your Name…! “

# 05 2016 Devotional Psalm 8 : 3-4 The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 8:3-4

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?[a]

This Psalm of David is about the majesty of God and the humility of man. A benediction frames the Psalm praising God’s name. It is set to the tune of gittith (wine press or Lyre): the meaning is uncertain but I suspect a lively tune. After the introduction, Ps. 1-2 Ps. 3-7 are appeals to God for protection from the short comings and wickedness of mankind. Ps. 8 soars in praise for God, for His majesty, and His grace to mankind.

V. 2 puts the enemies of God in their place. By means of the meekest and weakest of mankind God establishes a stronghold of righteousness! (see also Matt. 21:12-17) Jesus quotes this Psalm making it one of the Messianic Psalms of David. David had time to contemplate the heavens watching the sheep at night. There was no light pollution, the starry nights must have been overwhelming as it is for us on those rare occasions when the night sky is the only light we have. The language is descriptive; “the work of your fingers”, imagine God’s hands as He sets each star, each planet and each galaxy in their place and course. The majesty of it is overwhelming!

We ask the question along with David- who are we that you think of mankind? God created us to serve and to enjoy His fellowship but we rebelled and now are in constant rebellion. If you don’t believe that you are not being honest with yourself. We are endowed with great gifts that come with the image of God we bear. You have given us dominion Father, and we rule as co-regents with you on the earth, O God.

That is hard to get our head around but by God’s grace, by His love for us, and His plan for us laid down at the beginning of creation we get a glimpse of His great majesty, His great love and care for us in Christ Jesus. We are small in comparison with the fastness of God’s creation, Yet, we are great as the children of God. “O Lord, our Lord how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
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