April 2010
In the past two months, we have reflected upon psalms that are prayers for help. There are more psalms that are prayers for help than any other type of psalm in the Bible (60 in total, according to the Lutheran Study Bible). These psalms speak to us especially well during seasons of our lives in which we find ourselves in physical, emotional, or spiritual need. As we begin a new season, however — both in the church (Easter) and in the world around us (Spring)- we turn to a different kind of psalm. Psalm 8 is a hymn of praise to the God all all creation. Think of the beauty of the earth coming to life around us as you read and reflect upon this psalm.
O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babes and infants
- you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
to silence the enemy and the avenger.
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet,
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
O Lord our sovereign, I
how majestic is your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8)
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babes and infants
- you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
to silence the enemy and the avenger.
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet,
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
O Lord our sovereign, I
how majestic is your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8)
For reflection
- What about God’s creation do you find most awe-inspiring?
- What part of our Holy Week and Easter celebration did you find most awe-inspiring this year?
- Through Jesus’ resurrection, humans have been elevated to a level of glory and honor just "a little lower than God." With that glory and honor, however, comes great responsibility What have you done new in the last year to take greater responsibility for God’s world?
For prayer
God of majesty, amid the grandeur of your creation you sought us out, and by the coming of your Son
you adorned us with glory and honor, giving us dominion over your works. Enable us so to care for
the earth that all creation may radiate the splendor of your Son Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen
Thanks for opening the scriptures
and joining
the conversation!
