It begins … Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. There might be something in that, but the structure of the psalm puts the singer in a different place. The first half of verses 1 and 9 are identical. When singers of the psalm looked “at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you have established,” they saw not the many stars and galaxies light-years away that we know from our science classes, planetariums, and telescopes, with the earth a mere speck in a minor planetary system, but the stars and the moon as fixed points on a half-dome sky, surrounding an earth that was the center of the universe, indeed, that was the universe. Indeed, the psalm proclaims that humans are God’s agents on earth. "An interpretation of Psalm 85:8-13 needs first to find a context in the whole of Psalm 85." It begins and ends with the same acknowledgment of the transcendent excellency of God’s name. Psalm 8, like Genesis 1:1-2:4a, seems to present all humans in the royal office. Daily Bible Reading - Psalm 36. Wave-surfing penguins struggled to escape a hungry sea lion. Creation is not merely a one-time act “in the beginning,” but an ongoing work and gift of God … “Son of man” therefore connotes humanity’s finitude and fallibility. that you would pay attention to them?” Hence, although the answer to the question is quite positive in Psalm 8, the same question appears in Psalm 144:3-4 and Job 7:17; 15:14 in a way that casts negative light on humanity (see also Psalm 144:2). Wha The Lutheran Commentary is a product of that tradition, reverently exegeting the biblical text—not for the sake of generating more systematic theologies and dogmatic treatises, but for a closer devotion to the God who gave us the Scriptures. Psalm 8:1. That work is worthy of praise! Now in Psalm 8, you find there Adam's world, the type of a world to come; he was the first Adam, and had a world, so the second Adam hath a world also appointed for him; there is his oxen and his sheep, and the fowls of the air, whereby are meant other things, devils perhaps, and wicked men, the prince of the air; as by the heavens there; the angels, or the apostles, that were preachers of the gospel. There are many potential sermons on Psalm 8, of course, as with any text. “Name” refers to God’s essence and character. The next section of the psalm (verses 3-8) focuses on human beings and their place within the created order. First, the word “human” translates the Hebrew expression ben adam (“son of man”). so sinful a creature, that he should be thus favoured! The psalm sings the old creation story into the present, rejoicing again in being made “little less than divine” (NJPS), which means having “dominion” over the works of God’s hands, over all creation. The One who created the heavens is concerned and compassionate toward man and ultimately will fulfill all the dreams of humanity. . comment. The problem, as we have heard often, is that one generation’s “dominion” becomes a later generation’s exploitation, and woe to the earth and woe to us if we think the psalms gives us license to do whatever is now in our power to ravish the earth and use up its resources. In the space of five verses, the second reading for Trinity Sunday mentions God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The first two verses encourage us to remember what God has done for Israel and for us — looking favorably on the land, restoring fortunes, and centering, most particularly, on the forgiveness of sins. The God who made all things is the only one worthy of the name that is majestic in all the earth (vv.1, 9). The portrait of humans in this section is much like the one in Genesis 1:1-2:4a and 2:4b-25. The psalm begins and ends with the outburst of congregational praise of God’s majestic name (A/A’). “Praise the Lord,” they sang, “for God has blessed our humble efforts and given us life!”. We rejoice in the gift, even as we pray for humility to bear the responsibility of exercising anything resembling god-like power over the earth. An evil disease cleaveth fast unto him — Hebrew, דבר בליעל, debar Belijagnal, a word, or thing of Belial. and the rest of creation. Reviews There are no reviews yet. Psalm 8 declares that there is only one Yahweh. A psalm of David. Commentary & Application for Psalm 30. You have set your glory in the heavens. Perhaps the greatest difficulty in interpreting Psalm 8 is the question of how verse 1b relates to verse 2. The issue in Psalm 8, as in Genesis 1 to which it refers, is the relationship between humanity (us!) Psalm 4:8. No name is so universal, no power and influence so … It is proposed for proof ( v. Now, instead of an isolated “me,” viewing a distant universe in existential anxiety, “I” (C) stand surrounded by the gracious and protecting works of God (B/B’) and the congregation gathered to sing God’s praise (A/A’). Lutheran_Commentary Identifier-ark ark:/13960/t75t60z49 Ocr ABBYY FineReader 9.0 Ppi 600 Scanner Internet Archive HTML5 Uploader 1.4.2 Year 1895 . Even the weakest creatures (babes and infants) give voice to the power of God that overcomes all forces that would thwart God’s will. The Popular Commentary is in the public domain. How excellent is thy name — That is, thy glory, as it is explained in the next clause; in all the earth — The works of creation and providence evince and proclaim to all the world that there is an infinite Being, the fountain of all being, power, and perfection; the sovereign Ruler, powerful Protector, and bountiful Benefactor of all creatures. (This structure of the psalm could be modeled for the congregation by reading or singing it in worship in three groups: A, B, and C, corresponding to the segments of the psalm.). The question, “What are humans?” has two important features that are keys to the meaning of the psalm. Glory and honor are words used to describe monarchs, but here they describe all human beings. You have set your glory above the heavens. Psalm 8 Bible Commentary. For thou, Lord, only makest me to dwell in safety — I owe not my safety to my own valour or wisdom, nor to the courage of my followers, but to thee only. God hath said unto him, Thou art my Son, and it becomes each of us to say to him, Thou art my Lord, my Sovereign'. David, the author, never calls the reader to actually do anything. it's according to the G and again like so many of those other words like and other ones. And we? The A/B/C/B’/A’ structure is, in part at least, grammatical or rhetorical, comprised of sections introduced by Lord/you/I/you/Lord. The psalms that immediately precede it are prayers spoken by people who are suffering or who are persecuted (Psalms 3-7). Creation is not merely a one-time act “in the beginning,” but an ongoing work and gift of God that makes us realize ever anew “how majestic is your name in all the earth.”. Its two sides stand for God's eternal glory outside of creation, strong and immoveable as the eternal shores which support the bridge. Similarly, when the psalmists rejoiced in their surprising ability, under God, to bring sustenance from an unwieldy planet, they lived in a time when such “dominion” was relatively new–the ability to domesticate animals and till the soil–and the alternative was a daily hunter-gatherer existence that gave little or no time for developing culture, civilization, or even communal worship. plus-circle Add Review. Within those verses comes the praise of God’s particular works (overturning foes in B; blessing humans in B’), and, at the center, the wondering awe of the poet (C). and the rest of creation. One will be to rejoice in our exercise of the responsible dominion given us by God as creatures who are “little less than divine” (a better translation than NRSV’s “a little lower than God”). The Old Testament Readings: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 (Advent 2). A resource for the whole church from Luther Seminary. MARTIN LUTHER’S PSALM Psalm 46 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 8 Commentary: In the New Testament. we're not 100% sure what those words mean, probably some kind of musical notation on how it is to be sung and it's a psalm of David. 6:05. First, it is the first hymn one encounters when reading the Psalms straight through. Despite the lowliness of humans before God, verse 5 declares God made humans “a little lower than God.” The word for God, however, is a general word (elohim) that may be translated “angels” or “gods.” Only context can determine if the word refers to the one God, to the attendants around God’s throne, or to the gods of the nations. But Psalm 8 is unique in at least two ways. This psalm is titled A Psalm of David. I have equally set, or proposed. In this psalm, that character pertains primarily to the divine power over the created order. Commentary on Psalm 8:1,2 (Read Psalm 8:1,2) The psalmist seeks to give unto God the glory due to his name. Many of my favorite songs are simple melodies that call out the name of Jesus. 2Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger. A modern, Western reading of the psalm tends to focus on the question “What are humans that you are mindful of them?” as an outburst of existential anxiety from an “I” alone in the midst of overwhelming vastness. The apostle translateth it, "I foresee the Lord always before my face," Acts 2:25. Psalm 8 "A Little Lower than the Angels" The Glory of Creation A pair of courting polar bears revealed a surprisingly tender side. Just as God’s majesty begins and ends the psalm, so also it creates the context for human glory. Several commentators mention that it was fittingly placed next to Psalm 137, which described the inability of the psalmist to sing before the heathen. Psalm 85 is a perfect psalm for this second Sunday of Advent. Literally, says Houbigant, A thing of Belial is poured out upon him, that is, his wickedness is brought round upon, or overflows him. This our Lord Jesus often referred to, as what he governed himself by. A problem with our hearing of Psalm 8, as with so many other biblical texts, may be our affluence. From above God subdued chaos and made the world with order and regularity. It emphasizes God’s sovereignty (8:1, 9) and proclaims that humans exercise their legitimate authority within the rule of God. It begins and ends by pronouncing Yahweh’s majestic nature. Psalm 8 reveals that those suffering at the hands of evil forces are those made in the image of God and valued highly by their creator. The bridge arching across the rough ground is where the glory of God is revealed in time and space. More specifically, it is a panegyric on human excellence (Psalm 8:4-6) couched within a pious frame (8:1a, 9). 7:50. The original volumes were not copyrighted. John Trapp Complete Commentary. Psalm 8 has a rather clear concentric structure: A O Lord, our Sovereign… (verse 1a) B You have set your glory… (verses 1b-2) C When I look… (verses 3-4) B’ Yet, you have made… (verses 5-8) A’ O Lord, our Sovereign (verse 9). Indeed, the psalm proclaims that humans are God’s agents on earth. 2 Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. The psalm sings the old creation story into the present, rejoicing again in being made “little less than divine” (NJPS), which means having “dominion” over the works of God’s hands, over all creation. The Pharisees tell Jesus that it’s not right for the children to be calling him the Son of David – the coming king. Psalm 8 is like one of those ornate bridges. The point, however, is not so much the identity of elohim, but the difference between the heavenly and earthly realms. Psalm 8 reveals that those suffering at the hands of evil forces are those made in the image of God and valued highly by their creator. Psalm 8 is the first psalm of praise in the Book of Psalms. Psalm 41:8-9. The image of God bestowed on humans in Genesis 1:26-28 is defined by human dominion. The psalm is filled with promise in the midst of a time of waiting and uncertainty. The result is not only confusion, but potentially destructive misuse. In Psalm 8 it is impossible to tell the exact intention. It is a good and safe place to be; a place where I am not left to my own devices to figure out who I am, but am given a place in relation to God, to God’s world, and to God’s people; a place where my identity is given (not my own project) and where I am kept safe from whatever “foes” (verses 1b-2) stand in opposition to God’s good will for me and all God’s creatures. Ver. Psalm 8 - For the director of music. The whole bridge represents the full glory of God. September 18, 2011 3When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, Even so, they were overwhelmed by the grandeur! Psalms 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because [he is] at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Most of us are so used to being more or less well off and more or less comfortable that we have difficulty hearing the text from the margin, from the perspective of the underdog or the endangered. But we dare not say, “Praise the Lord, for God has blessed all the assaults on the earth of which we are now capable and given us bigger and better stuff.” We too rightly rejoice in God’s blessing of our works, but, to be blessed, such works must understand “dominion” in the sense of Psalm 72, where the purpose of royal dominion (Psalm 72:8) is to “defend the cause of the poor” (verse 4) and to bring “abundance” (verse 16), “righteousness” (verse 7), and “peace” (verse 7) to all. I have set the Lord always before me] Heb. The issue in Psalm 8, as in Genesis 1 to which it refers, is the relationship between humanity (us!) Psalm 8:1-9 God's Glory Perfectly Revealed in the Son of Man . What’s in a name? The expression “you set your glory above the heavens” (8:1b) probably indicates that God is sovereign and thus sits as king over the creation. LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Commentary on Psalm 145:1-8 - Working Preacher from Luther Seminary Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost As a response to the first lesson, Psalm 145 was chosen to show how Jonah knew that God was “merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing” (Jonah’s version of verse 8). The dominion of humans extends to all living creatures. Be the first one to write a review. Psalm 138 is a declaration that even the kings of the nations will praise Yahweh. Matthew 21:16. What is the connection between wisdom and joy? The psalms that immediately precede it are prayers spoken by people who are suffering or who are persecuted (Psalms 3-7). James Limburg has described Psalm 8 as “a psalm for stargazers”1 and indeed, it is that. This psalm is a solemn meditation on, and admiration of, the glory and greatness of God, of which we are all concerned to think highly and honourably. For the psalm celebrates not so much God as the God who created human beings. Now, the answer to the singer’s question “Who am I?” question is the surprised recognition that “I’m surrounded!”–which could well be the title of a sermon on this psalm. 8. (Psalms 8:9 RSV) What a magnificent God who can work through babes and infants and who is deeply concerned about man! St. Paul Lutheran Church. We have power, to be sure, but God-like power will abuse nothing. From a biblical perspective — everything. Bible > Bible Commentary; Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete) Psalm; Psalm 8; Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete) << Psalm 7 | Psalm 8 | Psalm 9 >> (Read all of Psalm 8) Complete Concise This psalm is a solemn meditation on, and admiration of, the glory and greatness of God, of which we are all concerned to think highly and honourably. Rather, the psalmist wonders at the natural world because of the majesty of God who stands over them and has put them in place. The Lutheran Witness, in 1922, had an article on How the "Popular Commentary" Was Written.It gives a brief background of the work. Related Videos. A team of killer whales worked together to create giant waves that swept seals off ice floes. On the instrument of Gath. The birth, life, preaching, miracles, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus are known through the world. Adam is closely related to the word for earth or soil (adamah; Genesis 2:7). God put humans in charge of the earth. 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