The Lord’s Glory and Man’s Dignity.
For the choir director; on the Gittith. A Psalm of David.
8 O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth,
Who have [a]displayed Your splendor above the heavens!
2 From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established [b]strength
Because of Your adversaries,
To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.3 When I [c]consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have [d]ordained;
4 What is man that You [e]take thought of him,
And the son of man that You care for him?
5 Yet You have made him a little lower than [f]God,
And You crown him with glory and majesty!
6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen,
And also the [g]beasts of the field,
8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea,
Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.9 O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth!
Verse 4 captures one of the most stunning thoughts in all creation. In the midst of declaring the glory of God, the psalmist expresses this singular notion: that God would “crown us with glory and majesty” and put mankind “in charge” over the whole earth. For we do indeed have incredible power (and responsibility) in managing our natural resources and wildlife.
Yet the thought is also incredibly humbling, for to see the one who granted this lofty position is more stunning. We cannot compare ourselves with the incomparable, for we pale in comparison. Though the psalmist says “You have made him a little lower than God” it is only in relation to our “privilege” over the rest of creation that we seem elevated.
We seem so small by comparison when we consider the greatness of all that God has created, and still He cares so much for us (His creation) that God sent his Son to redeem us from our bondage. Christ died for us while we were still sinners, wallowing in our filth, because He loves us more than we can comprehend.
His majesty and glory are inescapable, and yet God’s grandeur is shown nowhere more than in His undying love and mercy shown to us. All the stars and planets pale in comparison to the greatness of His love displayed when Jesus shed his own blood for our disobedience. Yes, He put the whole earth beneath us, and we still forget the simplest of things, to love our neighbor who is also a prize jewel in the eye of the King.
Do not take for granted His love and compassion for you, soak it in today, and let His heart become your own. Surrender your agenda for one that is greater still, and find your true calling as a child of the King.