COV LIFE BLOG

Psalm 8 – The Glory of God in the Gospel According to the Psalms

Now, what is the testimony of Psalm viii.? Look at the psalm. What does it mean? David praises the goodness of God, and the condescension of God to man. The name of God is known all over the earth; the glory of God is high above the heavens. He who has made the heavens, and the moon, and the stars, condescends to frail and feeble man, and to the son of man. He is mindful of him, only placed a little below the angels, but crowned with glory and honour. He has given him power over all things in the world, over the beasts, and over the cattle, and over the fowls of the air. This psalm is evidently responsive to the original investiture of man with power when first created by God. God created him in His image, and appointed him to be the ruler upon earth. But does this explain the psalm? Let us look candidly, and say if this key is sufficient open it.
 
God created man to be the ruler of the earth; he was to be the representative of God and king here below. All things were to be subject to him… He is invested with power by God Himself, and over all things is his dominion. This kingship… Adam lost by his sin. [Jesus] is to be Lord and Ruler, the King of the earth. This Son of man, made a little lower than the angels, is to be the King; and through Him the knowledge, love, and life of God shall be brought to the ends of the earth. All people that on earth do dwell, all people to the furthest islands of the sea, shall know and worship the God of Israel. God s name shall be excellent on the earth while He has exalted His glory above the heavens; that is, the whole earth shall see the manifestation of grace in the church which is to the praise and glory of His name; the manifestation of salvation-glory, which is above all angels and all things belonging to the first creation.
 
But this Son of man whom God chose for Himself was made a little lower than the angels that He might taste death; for through this death was He to enter into the glory and honour with which the Father decreed to crown Him for His obedience and humiliation.
 
Everything that is in God is beautiful and perfect. “Of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things;” and that in which He has concentrated the revelation of Himself must become Him. The more we look upon Jesus as our Redeemer, and contemplate the atonement upon the cross, the more do our thoughts expand, and the more do we see the image and glory of the Most High; the more do we dread sin, the more do we enter into the knowledge of God and into fellowship with Him. Who brings out the perfection of God but the Lamb slain?

Adolph Saphir

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SCRIPTURES FOR THIS SUNDAY
Read Psalm 8 and Hebrews 2:6-11. Can you see the beauty and the wonder of God is both his power over creation and also his kindness to lowly man? How do these verses inspire you to greater worship and delight in God?

SONG FOR THIS WEEK
This Is My Father’s World by Maltbie D. Babcock