HOW MAJESTIC IS YOUR NAME O LORD!

Passage: Psalms 8:1-9

Key verse: 1

NIV

Psalm 8[a]
For the director of music. According to gittith.[b] A psalm of David.

1 Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name(A) in all the earth!

You have set your glory(B)
    in the heavens.(C)
2 Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold(D) against your enemies,
    to silence the foe(E) and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,(F)
    the work of your fingers,(G)
the moon and the stars,(H)
    which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?[c](I)

5 You have made them[d] a little lower than the angels[e](J)
    and crowned them[f] with glory and honor.(K)
6 You made them rulers(L) over the works of your hands;(M)
    you put everything under their[g] feet:(N)
7 all flocks and herds,(O)
    and the animals of the wild,(P)
8 the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,(Q)
    all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!(R)

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 8:1 In Hebrew texts 8:1-9 is numbered 8:2-10.
  2. Psalm 8:1 Title: Probably a musical term
  3. Psalm 8:4 Or what is a human being that you are mindful of him, / a son of man that you care for him?
  4. Psalm 8:5 Or him
  5. Psalm 8:5 Or than God
  6. Psalm 8:5 Or him
  7. Psalm 8:6 Or made him ruler . . . ; / . . . his
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

How Majestic Is Your Name

To the choirmaster: according to The (A)Gittith.[a] A Psalm of David.

8 O Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your (B)name in all the earth!
You have set your (C)glory above the heavens.
2     (D)Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established (E)strength because of your foes,
    to still (F)the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I (G)look at your heavens, the work of your (H)fingers,
    the moon and the stars, (I)which you have set in place,
4 (J)what is man that you are (K)mindful of him,
    and (L)the son of man that you (M)care for him?

5 Yet you have made him a little lower than (N)the heavenly beings[b]
    and crowned him with (O)glory and honor.
6 You have given him (P)dominion over the works of your hands;
    (Q)you have put all things under his feet,
7 all sheep and oxen,
    and also the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
    whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Psalm 8:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
  2. Psalm 8:5 Or than God; Septuagint than the angels
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. You have set your glory in the heavens (1-2)

This psalm reminds us of the account of Genesis 1-2. Our God is the LORD. He is the Creator who has authority over all his creations. Those whose hearts are pure and humble like little children acknowledge God's marvelous work of creation around them. They recognize the majesty of His name as David did. Only those whose eyes are blinded by pride and a rebellious spirit cannot see his glory (Mt 21:16).

2. What is mankind that you care for them (3-9)

When David took the time to ponder the vast extent of God's universe, he was amazed by God's love for human beings who look so small. God is mindful and cares for mankind, for he made them in his own image to rule the earth as his steward. However, we lost this honor and glorious privilege since Adam's fall and now fall short of his glory. However, we find hope in Jesus Christ, who suffered and died to restore our dignity as God's image-bearers. Christ restores God's original purpose for us to live for His glory.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your caring love in creating me in your image to do good works for your glory. Help me to serve your purpose for my life with a thankful heart.

One Word: How majestic is your name, O LORD!