Psalm 8 - an commentary pt. 1
Time to read: 4 minutes
Psalm 8 is a beautiful hymn that celebrates the majesty and power of God, and the glory of his creation. It is a psalm that has been treasured by many believers and its message continues to inspire and uplift people today. In this blog post, we will explore and analyse Psalm 8, specifically with reference to Hebrews 2:5-10.
The Majesty of God
Psalm 8 is a hymn of praise that celebrates the glory of God's creation, and the majesty of his power. It begins with a declaration of God's majesty: "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" (Psalm 8:1). The psalmist then marvels at the wonder of God's creation, declaring, "When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?" (Psalm 8:3-4). The psalmist is struck by the contrast between the vastness and grandeur of the cosmos, and the smallness and frailty of humanity. Yet, despite this contrast, God has placed humanity at the centre of his creation, giving us a unique role in his plan.
The Place of Humanity in Creation
This idea of humanity's special role in God's creation is further developed in the following verses of the psalm. The psalmist declares, "You have made them [human beings] a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honour. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet" (Psalm 8:5-6). This idea of humanity's dominion over the works of God's hands is a central theme of the Bible, and it is rooted in the idea that God has given humanity a special responsibility to care for his creation. This responsibility is not one of domination, but of stewardship: we are called to care for the earth, protect it, and use its resources wisely.
This theme of humanity's special role in God's creation is echoed in the New Testament, specifically in Hebrews 2:5-10. In this passage, the author of Hebrews reflects on the relationship between humanity and Jesus, the Son of God. The author writes in Hebrews 2:5-6; "For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere, 'What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them?'" This is a direct quotation from Psalm 8, and this underscores the continuity between the Old and New Testaments.
We journey on to see a reflection on the significance of Jesus' incarnation. Hebrews 2:9 says "But we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone." The author is highlighting the fact that Jesus, the Son of God, willingly took on human form and became one of us. In doing so, he showed us what it means to be fully human, and he also opened up the possibility of our redemption and salvation. What an amazing revelation that is!
Through this word, we gain an exciting insight into the significance of Jesus' humanity. Hebrews 2:10 says "For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings"
The Goodness & Mercy of God
I want to emphasise as a conclusion on the goodness and mercy of God, as we see the author of Hebrew's reflection on the work of Jesus Christ. The writer notes that, by taking on human nature, Jesus Christ has made it possible for human beings to be redeemed, and to share in the glory and honor of God. Through his work, Jesus Christ has made it possible for human beings to experience the goodness and mercy of God in a new and powerful way. What a privilege and honour it is to partake in that when ultimately we did nothing to deserve it.