The Majestic Name (Psalm 8)
Sermon Link
Contrasting Heaven and Earth
God has set His splendor above the heavens. What we are able to see from our tiny sphere is but the silhouette of the greater glory that is “out there.” But rather than leaving all of His glory “locked away” in the vaults of heaven, instead He has poured some of that glory forth into the earth. His glorious character has overflowed to the earth in the form of His revealed name. When Moses saw the burning bush, he asked the Lord what he should tell God’s people when they asked who had sent him. God’s response was that he should tell them His name, “I AM THAT I AM.”
A name represents the authority of the one to whom it refers. In social matters, we tend to drop names in order to find acceptance. When it comes to legal or official matters, we might use the phrase, “In the name of the law.” In essence, names open doors and make things happen. The all-powerful God pours forth some of His glory to Moses and His people (including us) as we learn His sacred name, i.e. who He is. In His name, miracles broke out everywhere and His people marched away scot-free from the most powerful nation on earth, passing safely through the middle of the Red Sea on dry ground.
We gain access to God’s glory only through the strong name of Jesus, the I AM made flesh. Through the name of Jesus, hell is escaped, heaven is gained, enemies are defeated, devils flee, and prayers are answered. The only name at the bottom of the contract that matters at all is His name.
– What does it mean that Jesus is the I AM? What does that tell us about Jesus’ character and authority?
Contrasting the Glorious Heavens and Lowly Man
As David wrote these words in verse 3, perhaps he was reminiscing about his shepherd days when he would lie under the stars and be overtaken by the immensity of creation. In light of such greatness and vastness, he would inevitably be overwhelmed with a strong feeling of man’s smallness. David poses the question, “What is man?” Man is made of dust, prone to wander in pursuit of sin and self, a glorious ruin by nature. Man has been made a little lower than the angels, somewhere in the middle ground between the heavenly creatures and animals.
– Have you taken time lately to admire the greatness of God’s power and majesty displayed in the things He has made? What are some particular aspects of creation that have given you a greater sense of God’s glory?
Contrasting Lowly Man and Glorious Man
Yet, David says that man has been crowned with glory (verse 5). God has given him dominion over creation and he reigns over the things on the earth. And even more, this same God that has visited man, crowned him with glory, and revealed His name to him, also commands him to then tell forth His name! The heavens can tell of God’s glory, but they can’t tell God’s name. The capacity to speak His name is a privilege and responsibility given only to man.
We see this particularly in the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Hebrews 2 tells us that the high and lofty one was made lower than the angels in order to be able to die, and that He was crowned with glory and honor as He tasted death for every man. It is only through the Son of God that we are brought to a state of glory ourselves, now to be called “brethren” of the Lord!
Contrasting the Worshiping Infant with the Enemy
Jesus quoted Psalm 8:2 during His earthly ministry just after the cleansing of the temple (Matthew 21:13-16). The babe in the arms is able to tell more of the glory of God than the most eloquent, trembling demon in Hell — or of the most brilliant, egotistical politician or preacher on earth. By this quotation, Jesus positions Himself as the one to whom children’s praises are due — the majesty on high robed in human flesh. But notice what He didn’t say: “Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.” By this quotation, Jesus positions his hearers (the moneychangers, Pharisees, religious leaders) as enemies.
– We are either with the babes who praise Jesus, or the enemies who refuse His excellent name. Have you come to confess the name of Jesus as the all-majestic Lord and Savior?