The Majestic Name of the Lord
Recently, I had the opportunity to gaze at the night sky away from the lights of the city and see the vastness and beauty of the heavens. I could not help but declare “Oh YHWH, my God, how majestic is Your name in all the earth. You have declared your glory in the heavens.”
In Psalm 8 David has this same response. David bookends this psalm of praise with these very words (1,9). God’s name, the sum of His self revelation, is majestic at the impressive and intimidating power visible for all to see in the heavens.
David is at a loss for words when he thinks about the vastness of the heavens and that man is but the smallest past of it (3-4). He is amazed that God would even think of man, let alone care for him and meet his needs (4). Also, God has exalted mankind, giving him an honoured position a little lower than Himself (5). Man was created in the image of God and given the responsibility and authority over all of God’s creation (6-8). This includes the domesticated and the wild animals and insects (7), the birds, the fish, and all sea creatures (8).
Yet, because of sin creation is not in submission but in chaos (Rom 8:22; Gen 3:17-18). Mankind was not able to fulfil this divine mandate perfectly because of the curse of sin and death. Through His atoning work, Jesus is redeeming a people for Himself that will rule and reign with Him, the new Adam, at the end of the age (Rev 5:11). In Christ we can join with David in praise, “O LORD, our Lord How majestic is Your name in all the earth!”