Scripture: Psalm
8
This psalm was written by King David, but we do not know when
or why. One can, however, easily imagine him observing the night sky and
pondering God’s handiwork in creation (see v. 3-4) and his place in the midst
of it all. The psalm praises God for the special relationship humans have in with
God, the importance of which is made all the more poignant when compared to the
vastness of the skies and the animal kingdom. Psalm 8 leads modern readers to
marvel at their relationship with God and to allow our observations of the
creation around us to lead us to humble joy and gratitude that God indeed was
mindful of humankind and gave Jesus to save people from sin and death.
Teaching
At first glance it might seem that David is praising God for
the greatness of creation. Creation is the catalyst that leads David to praise
God, but it is actually David’s relationship with God that leads him to say, “O
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” He sees the
vastness of the night sky and senses his smallness. He observes the breadth of
the animal kingdom and remembers that God gave humanity dominion over the
animals. These observations lead him to wonder, “… what is man that you mindful
of him … that you care for him?” He is awed that God takes note of humankind
and has called us to a special relationship with himself.
The phrase, “Out of the mouth of babies and infants you have
established strength because of your foes,” is important to note. Luther says, “This
is the way Christ’s kingdom is established, namely, not with human force,
wisdom, counsel or power, but with the Word and the Gospel preached by … plain,
simple, unsophisticated people, who are like infant children in that they set
aside all reason, grasp and accept the Word with simple faith, and let
themselves be led and directed by God like children.”[1]
Life
It is easy to get lost in the crowd and to think ourselves
insignificant in the face of all that goes on in the world. Indeed, who am I
compared to issues like global hunger, terror, warming, governance, and the
like? And who am I in a universe that is seemingly boundless and ancient? Why
would God be mindful of me, of you, of us? The answer is simply love. God loves
us so much that he created us, redeemed us, and dwells among us. The clearest
example of that love is the cross of Christ, on which our Lord Jesus shed his
blood for us. When we feel small and insignificant, we do well to be in awe of
the value that God places upon us and to praise God for his majesty!
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