Psalm 8 is a favorite for many. Unlike the concerns expressed about Brother Cush, it is a psalm of praise. There are so many elements and nuances packed into just nine verses. Depending on what version one reads and if you are adept in Hebrew, one will find this psalm can have at least dual meaning or one or the other depending on one’s stance.
Two Views
First, we find this passage quoted in several places, one being the Gospels. The first meaning is on the surface where God placed the earth under man’s dominion. This reflects the original creation story; hence, the rest of the sonnet ebbs and flows undergirded by this theme. The second revelation to dissect out is the love of God for man as the psalmist cries out in verse four “What is man that Thou art mindful of him and the son of man that Thou visitest him?” With all that God has to do, and how great and all powerful He is, He still has enough love and attention to dedicate to each of us.
Creation Story
A third facet is simply the Psalmist’s musing about the creative works of God. At the end of each day of Creation, God “saw that it was good (Genesis 1)”. Now, even millennia after sin, David could still say that it is good. In fact, he appears to take each creative day’s work and make an admirable comment about it; which takes on a nice reflective rhythm throughout the passage.
Next, one Bible version parses out verse 5 in this fashion. Instead of saying that God made man “a little lower than the angels”, it interprets the text as “a little lower than God.” This is a very pregnant interpretation as we see in Genesis, that God said “Let us make man in our own image (Genesis 1:26).” The entire Imago Dei concept can take a volume all to itself. However, there is merit in this view as we know that at creation humanity was a special work, something which the arch-deceiver had a particular issue with.
Christ in the Psalms
The last interpretation of Psalm 8 relates to Christ Himself. It is easy to see how this passage directly applies to Him as viewed in the Gospels.
Yes, it is also possible that all views are accurate and concurrent. It is one of the most beautiful of the Psalms and warrants adequate meditation on it. No matter what your interpretation is, the chapter begins and ends with praise, which clearly shows the underlying premise of Psalm 8.
Prayer
Lord, oh how we love Thy Word! Thank you for this gift. Help us meditate on it day and night. Help us continually discover the jewels of truth You have placed in it. In the wonderful name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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One thought on “A Psalm of Praise – Psalm 8”
I tend to support the first interpretation outlined in brother Robert’s meditation that we were made ‘a little lower than the angels’ (rather than a little lower than God), especially as it is immediately preceded by words meant to express humility before the Almighty God — “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” We humans are already making ourselves to be our own ‘gods’ and we certainly do not need any more elevating of ourselves.
I share the psalmist’s testimony and awe at the incredible dominion God has granted mankind over everything He created here on earth.
Maya