“O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
Ps. 8:1
The Holiday Season is a wonderful tradition of reflecting on the awesome goodness and majesty of God and gratefully, joyously thank Him for all His blessings! It is not only Biblical, but spiritually natural for Christians throughout the world to set aside special times of praise and adoration as we assemble ourselves together in sweet fellowship.
The Psalms are filled with special times like these and in Ps. 8 David is in such a setting. But the praise service he finds himself in is the assembly of the stars of Heaven! Listen to how David describes God’s heavenly pulpit in Ps 19:1-3 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.” As he basks in their worship discerning their message, he is staggered by the Lord’s excellent glory and beauty. In between the refrain of Vs. 1 & 9, David draws a contrast Of God’s Throne, all His creatures and the blessings He has graciously bestowed on mankind. He also introduces “the son of man” Jesus Christ Himself!
Observe how simply this Psalm breaks down and you will agree with all the reasons David gives for this praise and be filled with the same spirit of wonder and homage! Step outside tonight and look up to heaven as David had done countless times shepherding sheep as a boy. Contemplate God’s brilliant glory and count your blessings. Who knows? You just might be swept up in holy awe and write a psalm of your own! 1.) Vs.1-4 THE MAJESTIC NAME OF GOD! God has chosen to reveal Himself! His “name” describes His holy grandeur and loving nature. Yet, He is praised by helpless children Matt.21:16. Every time you hear a baby cry for it’s Mom & Dad, understand that it is preaching the glory of God and our humility and total dependance on God for life and Godliness. 2.) Vs.5-8 THE GLORY OF MANKIND! Human beings are the crowning work of all God’s creation! He has created us in His image and given us stewardship and dominion over all the creatures of the Earth Gen.1-2. But though we can see our dominion, we can also see ourselves in a tremendous struggle with sin and death. The writer of Heb.2:7-9 feels our pain and refers us to David’s words in Ps.8. 3.) THE LORD JESUS! In view of God’s majesty, David begins to wonder why God bothers with us at all. Ever had this feeling? This question, “what is man?” that wells up within his heart, is answered only in Jesus Christ! Adam has brought sin and death into the world and though we do not suffer his guilt, (we all bear our own personal guilt Rom.3:23) all of creation suffers the consequences of his transgression Gen.3:17-19, Rom.8:18ff. But in His Son Jesus Christ, God has lovingly, graciously brought new life 2Cor.5:17, Rom.6:3ff, exaltation Eph.2:4ff and the hope of eternal glory 1Jn.3:2-3 to all people who accept Jesus Christ on His terms of faith. How majestic indeed!
Danny