The Famous One

Read Psalm 8:1 - 3

Today we are going to look at Psalm 8:1 -3.  Some speculate this Psalm was written after David slayed the giant Goliath; others say it was penned as he was in the fields watching his flock at night.  We are not sure to when it was written.  We do know that it is a hymn or Psalm of praise and adoration.  It was intended as a song that would help people celebrate the privileged place God has given us in the created order.  This is a Psalm that expresses wonder and awe at the majestic and magnificent nature of God.   

Verse 1
The Psalm opens with “O LORD, our lord” which proclaims the majesty of God's name and his authority over his life and the nation of Israel.   

LORD – YHWH (Yehovah) All capital letters equals the proper name for God.  In God’s name his nature is revealed.  His name is who He is; the Existing One; the One without beginning or end; the One who was not created but has always been; the One who is I AM.  

Lord – (awdone) – Capital “L” and lower case letters is a reference to God’s position.  Sovereign Master, general recognition of superior, king. 
 
So another way to read this would be “O Eternal One (YHWH) our king (Lord)…”
“how majestic” – (adeer) – Famous, great, excellent, glorious.  The response of the psalmist to God is adoration and awe.  To one who does not believe or know God His name instills fear and trepidation.  His name is a power that is visible and is on display for everyone to see.

“is your name” – reputation, glory, fame.  The name of God is an extension of himself. 
 
David acknowledges that God’s fame and reputation is visible for all to see throughout creation.  In Romans Paul even acknowledges this in 1:20.  The glory and splendor of the invisible God can be seen throughout creation.  God has revealed himself to us through creation.  When we look around us we don’t see creation as God but we see God and his attributes in creation.
 
“You have set your glory…” – Splendor (magnificence), majesty, vigor (strength)
 
The planets, the stars, the limitless universe give a partial view of how very great God really is. Yet sophisticated men shrug off the evidence as if it didn’t exist.[1]  God is exalted above them all and to know his glory is to know him as he really is at the core of his being.
 
Verse 3
As the psalmist looks up into the sky he is in awe of the beauty of God’s creation.  He looks at the night sky and is in wonder of the creative work of God’s hand.  They all belong to God and are a result of God’s handiwork.  He gives God credit for all around him.  The beauty that surrounds us is authored by God and to give anything other than Him credit is plagiarism.
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[1]MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Ps 8:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.