Psalm 8 & 9

In Psalm 8 and Psalm 9, we can see 2 different perspectives that people may have on God and men.

One perspective (Psalm 8:3 ff) is that of a man who considers the heavens and sees the works of God's fingers -- the sun, the moon, and the stars. In contrast, how meager is a man? Man is but a minuscule being that does not really amount to anything. Yet, the Almighty Lord God the Creator is mindful of man and cares for him! God even made man a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. How amazing this is! How wonderful this is! Knowing God as the Creator gives man a proper perspective on his own place in the universe. Knowing God makes man grateful for all the things that he has received without deserving any of them.

The opposite perspective is shown by the wicked (Psalm 9:17). These are peoples and nations that forget God. Having forgotten God, they have also become unaware of the fact that they are but mere men (Psalm 9:20). Knowing God is the basis of knowing oneself. Without knowing God, man cannot know who or what he really is, either.

Paradoxic as it may sound, the message of the Bible is always that man's pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). On the other hand, when one is humble and knows his place before God, then God elevates and honors him (Proverbs 15:33, 18:12).

Jesus himself has given us an example of humility that we should strive to follow. Being the very essence of God, he humbled himself down to becoming a servant man and obeyed the Father God to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:5-8). Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him a name that is above every other name (Philippians 2:9).

Yes, Lord, you are mighty and worthy of all honor, praise, glory, power, and dominion. To you alone, I lift up my hands to praise and glorify your name. Let me not forget what a trifle being I am, and yet you crowned me with honor and glory. What an amazing grace and how wonderful this news is! Hallelujah!