Psalm 8
What is Man?
In the 18th century the idea arose that God has no interest in man. The Universe is a vast machine that God made and no longer cares about. Man is just part of the clockwork.
In the 19th century Man said that God doesn’t exist. Naturalism (there is nothing but Nature) inevitably led to Nihilism (Man has no significance at all). This is a great blow to any idea of our dignity. We are so made that none can live with Nihilism for long. In the 20th century Existentialism said ‘make your own significance’. Eastern religions, that we are all gods. Post Modernism, ‘make your own story’.
The Bible says we are made by God, to know and to love Him. (Genesis chapter 1)
Man Cocooned by God – Psalm 8:1-2,9
He is in all places at all times. We are created to be wide open to His glory. Without this we are lessened in our humanity. “O Lord, our Lord”.
Man in Relationship with God – Psalm 8:3-4
Psalm 8 digs in the mine of Genesis 1. We seem insignificant compared to the heavens. They in turn are insignificant compared to their maker. The work of His fingers. We are a double “tiny-ness”. But God cares for us. He is a relational God. A caring God. Beckett’s play “Breath” runs for just 35 seconds, starting with a cry, then the sound of breathing, and a last cry. Is that all there is? No! God cares.
Man to Rule the World – Psalm 8:5-8
Crowned with glory and honour. Man as vice-regent under God. Rule of the world is given to man, but under God. His world, not my world.
The Perfect Man – Hebrews 2:5-9
How is it that Psalm 8 does not ring true now? That we do not see everything under man’s control? It is because man has poked holes in the cocoon of God. But we can see something. “But we see Jesus”, and we see Him strangely and wonderfully, because He tasted death for every man.
Personal Reflection
- Before this morning, how would you have answered the question: “What is man?”
- Has God changed or confirmed your view?
- As you head into a new year, what changes do you need to make to your view of yourself, or your view of humanity in general?
Psalm 8
1 Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in the whole earth!
You have set your glory
in the heavens.
2 You have made sure that children
and infants praise you.
Their praise is a wall
that stops the talk of your enemies.
3 I think about the heavens.
I think about what your fingers have created.
I think about the moon and stars
that you have set in place.
4 What are human beings that you think about them?
What is a son of man that you take care of him?
5 You have made them a little lower than the angels.
You placed on them a crown of glory and honor.
6 You made human beings rule over everything your hands created.
You put everything under their control.
7 They rule over all flocks and herds
and over the wild animals.
8 They rule over the birds in the sky
and over the fish in the ocean.
They rule over everything that swims in the oceans.
9 Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in the whole earth!
Hebrews 2:8-9
8 You have put everything under their control.” (Psalm 8:4–6)
So God has put everything under his Son. Everything is under his control. We do not now see everything under his control. 9 But we do see Jesus already given a crown of glory and honor. He was made lower than the angels for a little while. He suffered death. By the grace of God, he tasted death for everyone. That is why he was given his crown.