A Psalm of Praise–Psalm 8
The significance of Psalm 8 is that it is an invitation to look at creation and stand in awe of its Creator; the Creator of Heaven and Earth that is worthy of all praise!
3 things to keep in mind about the Book of Psalms:
Composed of 150 Hebrew poems. 73 of them were written by David.
Scholars say the Psalms are broken in 5 sections with an introduction and an ending. The ending is 5 chapters of praise to our God.
Lament and praise are the main expressions in Psalms. Lament is an appropriate response to the evil that we see in the world. While praise expresses joy and celebration of the goodness of God.
Today we are taking a look at Psalm 8 which is a Psalm of Praise. The significance of Psalm 8 - a Psalm of praise - being squished between these two disparities is that it helps us understand that the poor & afflicted are the ones chosen to rule the world.
Psalm 8 opens with words of praise “O LORD our Lord”; better be translated as “Oh Yahweh, our Adoni”. This phrasing tells us so much about who we are crying out to in our prayers.
The name ‘Yahweh’ reveals God to mankind as the majestic, all-powerful, self-sufficient Creator who knows us and desires to be known by us personally.
Adoni, meaning King is important to remind us that God is the King of the universe and King of our life.
The Psalms express what creation tells us about God & His power.
Creation itself praises God (Psalm 19:1, 96:11-12, 98:4-8)
All things originate with God (Psalm 33:6)
Creation tells us of God’s wisdom (Psalm 104:24), love (Psalm 36:5), and power (Psalm 148:5)
“It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn't feel like a giant. I felt very, very small.” – Neil Armstrong
“...creation invites us to participate in its joy in God, and in giving ourselves willingly to this joy, we discover our true purpose as creatures made in the image of a joyful God: to faithfully reflect the divine image in all contexts of our created life as royal representatives of our Creator-King.” – W. David O Taylor
In moments of powerlessness, we can either run away from God or run toward God. If we choose to run away from God we breed hopelessness and pride. If we choose to run toward God we breed healing and praise in our lives.
God’s glory is displayed through weak people who he has chosen to do His great work.
In vs. 2 David says God defeats his enemies and makes His name majestic through using our weakness even that of babies.
The entirety of David’s life is an example of God using weak people.
Jesus and the incarnation is the greatest example of God’s transcendent power through the weakness of humans. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
God’s Role for Mankind
Made in God’s Image (Gen 1:27)
Children of God (1 John 3:1; Rom 8:14)
Co Heirs with Christ (Rom 8:16-17)
God has bestowed all of us with dignity and dominion.
“Our royal dominion, therefore, is qualified by our priestly calling: to offer the things of God in love to all of creation and, in turn, to offer all the things of creation back to God in love.” – W. David O Taylor
We were created with a purpose, but when that got messed up in the Garden of Eden, Jesus died to restore that purpose.
“...to live a life marked by joyful praise, wonder-filled thanksgiving, care-filled stewardship of creation, hopeful work of restoration and reconciliation, gracious communion with others, and faithful living.” – W. David O Taylor
Worship requires space to reflect.
Spiritual Practice
The Divine Game of Pinzatski: one person points out an object in nature and another says what that object might say about God and why.
Read One Psalm a Day: The Psalms reframe our sense of life
Let’s form habits that lead our hearts to praise!