We can understand what he is saying as we consider the wonderful refrain with which the psalm begins. “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.” Verses 1 and 9 bracket the more individual reflections found in verses 2-8. He uses the covenant name for God, Yahweh (Lord). Then he reinforces it with the more general second “Lord.” Repetition is a common technique used in scripture to intensify a statement. The repetition of words or phrases is used for emphisize. Yahweh is glorified, praised, and magnified as the covenant God of Israel. In this the people are reminded that they are His elect community, chosen by Yahweh not because of their greatness, but because of His grace. He is their God and they are His people. What does it mean to be a community of covenant people? As a chosen people how should we live?
In this psalm the majesty of God is compared with the littleness and finiteness of human beings. Modern man in all his arrogance has become confident in his superior technology and intellect. We strut about as if we were the masters of our own destiny and captains of our fate. When in fact we have in our arrogance transformed the planet from a paradise into a rotting, decaying wasteland, a shadow of its former beauty. Yet, even in the midst of this mess the majesty of God’s name and nature is still being revealed in both heaven and earth. It is God who “makes beauty of my mess.” The creation is a compelling witness to the glory of God. The havens are universal and so should be the praise for the God who created the “spangled heavens.” The cry of our lips should not be to proclaim the greatness of man but to sing the praise of God. We sing, “How majestic is your name in all the earth.”
John R. W. Stott says,
"The enemies of God, blinded by their proud rebellion, do not see His glory; but they are confounded by children and infants. Jesus quoted these words when the children acclaimed Him in the Temple with their hosannas, while the chief priest and scribes indignantly objected (Matthew 21:15, 16). God is still glorified in the simple faith of children and in the childlike humility of Christians believers (see Matthew 11:25, 26; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29).”The trust that children have for their parents is far from a simple matter. Their complete confidence in these "mere mortals" is magnificent thing to behold. Yet, it is also an awesome responsibility and privilege to live up to that trust. We should never betray the trust children place in us. It is the children and infants in this psalm who chant the praise of God. Have we become so sophisticated and self-absorbed that we fail to recognize and acknowledge the glory of God, which is the natural response of the children and infants? Jesus says this is God’s “good pleasure” to do this (Matthew 11:26). It is completely and totally a God thing. How have you experienced the “good pleasure” of a merciful and loving God? O, to be a child once more and to be able to live with such faith and trust.
The comparative smallness of man is the counterpoint to the greatness of God. God is portrayed as the artisan who draws upon the canvas of the heavens with his fingers to color the moon and stars. These are “his handiwork.” He is also an artisan in his creation of man who is “a little lower than the heavenly beings” and yet “you have crowned him with glory and honor.” Not only has he crowned him with glory and honor, he has also given him a place of honor over creation. Man is far from being God but he is also far from being a “beast of the field.” The psalmist marvels that God would consider man and continuously care for him. This seems to be beyond his comprehension, as it is mine. The psalmist asserts the truth of this statement and reminds us the reason man was created is to praise and worship God.
The symphony of grace intensifies as the psalmist reflects on the blessings God has lavished upon man. He has made man to rule over the beast of the field (flocks and herds), birds of the air and creatures who swim in the sea. God has entrusted man with all that he created. Will man prove to be trustworthy? Man’s position in and over creation is wholly a matter of grace. It is simply because God has chosen to give him this great honor. Do we consider this blessing an honor? Will we be responsible as stewards of this trust? The great artist has created a masterpiece of wonder and majesty for us to enjoy and cherish. He has drawn us into the masterpiece. It is the work of his hand but how will we respond to this wonderful gift?
The psalmist will boldly proclaim in worship and praise his affirmation of the majesty and mystery of God. It is in a beautiful affirmation of praise that he ends this psalm as it began.
“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.”
Just a few things to think about along the way.
Bob
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