Psalm 8

Psalm 8 – God and man

This psalm is the first example of antiphon – when a line is repeated to accent the point, in this psalm it is verses 1 and 9:

O Lord, our Lord,

            How majestic is your NAME in all the earth.

 

While glory of God is above the heavens,

Babies and infants proclaim/establish the strength of God –

To overcome three evils: foes, enemies, and avengers.

 

This difference – between His glory and our childish lives – raises the question: why do You – second person, singular – care for man, for humans, for you and for me.

 

The psalm gives no answer to “Why?” But it gives a description of the amazing trust and responsibility the Creator granted to humans. The only entity that stays in between God and man in the times of David – angels/higher powers. There is a reason for it – let’s compare Genesis 2:15 and 3:24.

 

But then the Name of God became flesh (cp. John 1:14, 17:6,12) – Jesus is the only mediator between God and men now, 1 Timothy 2:3-6. As a result, we – humans – we re-installed to the position Adam lost. St. Paul says we will evaluate the ministry of angels – 1 Corinthians 6:3.