Psalm 8 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 8 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
Verse 2Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger.
Verse 3When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established;
Verse 4what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?
Verse 5Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor.
Verse 6You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet,
Verse 7all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,
Verse 8the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
Verse 9O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Devotion
Some of us would probably be a bit uncomfortable about standing up and cheering in worship. But here the psalmist assumes the role of cheerleader and invites us to get up on our feet and join in a few cheers for the Trinity. An enthusiastic "Rah, Rah" for God brackets the psalm. "How majestic is your name in all the earth!" And in case we aren't quite there yet for first cry, tucked in between are some reflections to get us "pumped up" a bit so that we can truly join in by the time we get to the last climactic shout. If you need some convincing about the greatness of this God, just take a look around at the wonders of creation, from the vast heavens to the beasts, and birds, and fish that inhabit the land and the seas. And if you think that is really something, then just imagine that at the pinnacle of this creation God has placed human beings, and then risked it all by entrusting us with the care of the whole. Wow, that is really something to cheer about. And maybe even to keep thinking about when our feet come down to touch the ground again and we have to go back to work at caring for this creation.
Prayer
O God of Majesty, we ponder the greatness of your work in creation, and then stand in awe when invited to imagine that you have entrusted us with the care and delight in all that you have made. Help us to risk a few cheers for such a marvelous God, and help us to live in such a way that honors a God with such a wonderful name. Amen.