Psalm 8

Psalm 8 is a beautiful psalm of praise for God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; who so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life.

Whenever I read the Psalm, I recall two personal experiences with its majesty. First, I remember a time when I had been visiting churches in Mexico several miles south of Matamoros. It was late on a Sunday evening and I had just finishing preaching in the last church for the day. My host took me to the home of one of his parishioners for supper. There was no ambient light and it was very dark. As I looked up into the night sky I was overwhelmed with the beauty, the majesty, of countless thousands of stars. My host immediately began quoting Psalm 8:3,

“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—

the moon and the stars you set in place—“

The second experience was my discovery of Jesus in this Psalm. The New Testament writers clearly thought Jesus was the mortal described in vv. 5-8. (See 1 Corinthians 15:27; Ephesians 1:22; and Hebrews 2: 5-8) Also, Jesus quoted this psalm, but in doing so added His own interpretation. His insight has fascinated me for years.

Verse 2 states, “From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength. (NASB) At Matthew 21:16 Jesus quotes this verse saying, “Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?” (NASB)

So which is it? Has God ordained strength or praise out of the mouths of infants and babes?

Yes. Our strength comes from our praise of the Lord.

Sē’lah

What word or phrase in these verses

Attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

May 9, 2012            Psalm 9