Psalm
8 reminds me of the side of God that we may all neglect a bit too
much. So often we cry out to God when we are in distress or in need.
Then after things calm down, we simply move on to the next drama.
We are much like teenagers that forget to say thanks or acknowledge
His help. One of the things about David that distinguishes him from
other men was his ability to consider God in almost every situation.
I believe God loves to hear our praise, but I am convinced praising
God blesses us as well! The old expression “count your blessings”
means that when we focus on the joys in our life, the other things
are minimized. The psalm begins, “O
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your Name in all the earth!“.
This is something EVERYONE can do, “From
the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise“.
David considers how the infinite God loves each of us personally,
“When
I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the
stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful
of him, the son of man that You care for him?“.
Notice, David’s words are not just empty “thanks” on the way
out the car door, they are reflective. “You
made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with
glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands“.
David begins and ends the psalm with unrestrained praise, “O
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!“.
It is amazing but when we stop to speak of God’s blessings, we
find ourselves lifted up as well
Psalm
9 continues the theme. Please note that David did not consider God
to be some distant Higher Power. He knew God personally and was not
afraid to trust God completely. Let me say that my children call me
Daddy and they know I respond to that name. They do not demand
things; instead they know I DESIRE to give them what they need. “I
will praise You, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your
wonders.
I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name“.
We often hear David speak in military terms because he was the
general of Israel’s army. David’s enemies were not people that
annoy him in traffic; they are people set to destroy him and God’s
people. “My
enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before You…
You
have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked…
Endless
ruin has overtaken the enemy.”
Not only does David give God the credit for victory, he properly
represents God’s nature, “He
will judge the world in righteousness; He will govern the peoples
with justice“.
We have such a limited perspective. If you are mad at God for being
unfair, perhaps you cannot see things from eternity.
David
closes the psalm with a declaration of God for all to hear. “The
Lord reigns forever; He has established His throne for judgment“.
God alone can judge perfectly. David adds, “The
Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of
trouble“.
Hear this, “For
You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You“.
David’s reaction is unwavering, “Sing
praises to the Lord…
He
does not ignore the cry of the afflicted… Have mercy and lift me
up… that I may declare your praises“.
Finally the psalm ends with a word for those who will not
acknowledge God as Lord. Notice he is talking to both the individual
and the nations, “The
wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands… The wicked return
to the grave, all the nations that forget God… Strike them with
terror, O Lord; let the nations know they are but men“.
On the day that Jesus made His triumphal entry into the city of
Jerusalem; He was greeted with shouts of praise, acknowledging Him as
the Savior. The Jewish leaders rebuked Him. But Jesus said “I
tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would
immediately cry out”
(Luke 19:40). Why not join the chorus!