But there was a risk connected with everything, and we were hard men bred to a hard life in a hard land, and the lives that we lived were lonely, yet rich with the voice of our singing, and with tales told of an evening by the campfire.”
–Louis L’Amour (Killoe)
“But Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.'”
–Matthew 8:20 (NLT)
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Paulus Gerhardt said that “The Book of Psalms is a theatre, in which God allows us to behold both Himself and His works; a most pleasant greenfield; a vast garden where we see all manner of flowers.” This is very clearly seen in Psalm 8.
Last week we looked at the first part of Psalm 8 in which the majesty and omnipotence of God is seen. The rest of the Psalm is dedicated to man, his position and purpose on earth.
You have made him little less than God and crowned him with glory and honor. (5)
You made him lord over the works of Your hands; You put everything under his feet; (6)
all the sheep and oxen, as well as animals in the wild, (7)
birds of the sky, and fish of the sea passing through the currents of the seas. (8)
O LORD, our Lord, how magnificent is Your name throughout the earth! (9) (HCSB)
Man was created to be a honorable and noble person. Even with the Fall man still has dignity and is above the creation. David is quick to show that he is less than God (some version say, “heavenly beings”). That is one reason that Paul states that we should think noble and honorable thoughts (Philippians 4:8). Because man is honorable he should dwell on the things that are honorable and commendable. In this Psalm, David does not look at the Fall and the depravity of man, but on the dignity of man.
Before we can understand the true and proper dignity of man, David shows that we must first have an understanding of the true nature of God. When that happens then man, as a son of God, can begin to do what God does ceaselessly–that is to live a loving life. We are created in His image.
Man is given the job of being the caretaker of God’s wonderful creation. Much of the time we have left the word “care” out and just became the taker. Part of our purpose is to care for God’s creation; to be good stewards. If might be good if we look at the parable of the master who gave out the talents to his servants. They were to be “good” stewards of the master’s possessions.
Next time you take a trip–look at the majesty of His creation. Or, stay at home and glimpse at the heavens at night–look at the majesty of God’s creation. To look at nature, at the wonder of His creation, is to just get a glimpse of His majesty.
“This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas–
His hand the wonders wrought.”
–Maltbie Babcock