Psalm 8
- O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
- Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
- When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
- What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
- For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
- Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
- All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
- The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
- O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
I. The Majesty of God’s Name (Psalm 8:1, 9)
“O LORD our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth!”
A. God’s Name Reveals His Character
- Exodus 34:5–7 — God proclaims His own Name: merciful, gracious, longsuffering, abundant in goodness and truth.
- Psalm 113:4 — His glory is above the heavens.
- Malachi 1:11 — His Name will be great among the nations.
B. Creation Declares His Majesty
- Psalm 19:1 — “The heavens declare the glory of God.”
- Romans 1:20 — His eternal power and Godhead are clearly seen in creation.
C. The Name of Jesus Reveals the Fullness of God’s Glory
- Philippians 2:9–11 — God has given Him the Name above every name.
- John 17:6 — Jesus manifests the Father’s Name to His people.
II. Strength From the Weak (Psalm 8:2)
“Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou ordained strength…”
A. God Uses the Weak to Silence the Enemy
- 1 Corinthians 1:27 — God chooses the weak things to confound the mighty.
- Zechariah 4:6 — Not by might, but by His Spirit.
B. Jesus Applies This Verse to Children Worshiping Him
- Matthew 21:15–16 — Children crying “Hosanna” fulfill Psalm 8:2.
- Their praise silences the religious leaders—the “enemy and avenger.”
C. Spiritual Warfare Through Praise
- 2 Chronicles 20:21–22 — Praise goes before victory.
- Psalm 149:5–9 — High praises of God execute vengeance on the enemy.
III. The Wonder of Creation (Psalm 8:3)
“When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers…”
A. God’s Personal Craftsmanship
- Isaiah 40:26 — He calls the stars by name.
- Genesis 1:16 — He made the stars also—effortlessly.
B. The Heavens Reveal God’s Order and Power
- Jeremiah 31:35–36 — The ordinances of the sun, moon, and stars testify to His faithfulness.
- Job 26:7–14 — Creation is only the “whisper” of His power.
IV. The Astonishing Grace Toward Humanity (Psalm 8:4)
“What is man, that Thou art mindful of him?”
A. Human Smallness Compared to the Cosmos
- Job 7:17 — “What is man, that Thou shouldest magnify him?”
- Psalm 144:3–4 — Man is like a breath.
B. Yet God Draws Near
- Luke 12:6–7 — God numbers the hairs of our head.
- Hebrews 2:6–8 — The writer quotes Psalm 8 to show God’s intention for humanity fulfilled in Christ.
V. Humanity’s God‑Given Honor (Psalm 8:5)
“Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honour.”
A. Humanity’s Original Design
- Genesis 1:26–27 — Made in God’s image.
- Genesis 2:7 — God breathes His own breath into man.
B. Christ Restores What Adam Lost
- Hebrews 2:9 — Jesus was made “a little lower than the angels” to suffer death for us.
- Romans 8:29–30 — Believers are predestined to be conformed to Christ’s image and glorified.
VI. Dominion Given to Humanity (Psalm 8:6–8)
“Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands…”
A. Dominion Mandated at Creation
- Genesis 1:28 — Subdue the earth; have dominion over every living thing.
- Psalm 115:16 — The earth He has given to the children of men.
B. The Scope of Dominion
- Psalm 8:7–8 — Land animals, birds, fish, and all sea paths.
- Genesis 2:19–20 — Adam names the animals, exercising authority.
C. Dominion Lost Through Sin, Restored Through Christ
- Romans 5:17 — Those who receive abundance of grace reign in life by Jesus Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 15:27 — God has put all things under Christ’s feet.
- Ephesians 1:20–22 — Christ is exalted far above all rule and authority.
D. The Final Fulfillment in the New Creation
- Revelation 22:5 — God’s people will reign forever and ever.
- Romans 8:19–22 — Creation waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
VII. The Psalm Ends Where It Began (Psalm 8:9)
“O LORD our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth!”
A. Worship Begins and Ends With God’s Glory
- Revelation 4:11 — He is worthy because He created all things.
- Psalm 29:2 — Give unto the LORD the glory due His Name.
B. The Circle of Praise
- Creation → Humanity → Dominion → Redemption → Worship
- Everything returns to the glory of God’s Name.
