WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:01.780 In 1885, 2 00:00:03.800 --> 00:00:07.800 a Swedish pastor named Carl Boberg experienced a violent thunderstorm. 3 00:00:08.560 --> 00:00:09.780 But when the storm passed, the 4 00:00:09.780 --> 00:00:14.720 scene that followed caused him to stop and consider the greatness of God. 5 00:00:15.590 --> 00:00:17.130 That experience inspired the 6 00:00:17.130 --> 00:00:21.550 poem that would eventually become the beloved hymn, How Great Thou Art. 7 00:00:22.530 --> 00:00:27.160 More than a thousand years earlier, David had a remarkably similar response 8 00:00:27.160 --> 00:00:29.280 when he looked into the night sky. 9 00:00:30.050 --> 00:00:36.090 He saw the heavens, he saw the moon and the stars, and he saw the handiwork of God. 10 00:00:36.870 --> 00:00:41.440 But then David asked a question, what is man that thou art mindful of him? 11 00:00:41.930 --> 00:00:46.570 How can the God who created the vastness of the heavens care about people like us? 12 00:00:47.250 --> 00:00:52.950 Psalm 8 takes us on a journey from awe to humility to responsibility. 13 00:00:53.450 --> 00:00:56.490 He reminds us that although we are small in comparison to our Creator, 14 00:00:56.880 --> 00:01:02.870 he has given humanity dignity, purpose, and a responsibility to care for what he has made. 15 00:01:03.200 --> 00:01:08.120 Today, we'll look at the glory above, the dominion below, and what it means 16 00:01:08.120 --> 00:01:10.330 to live humbly before our great God. 17 00:01:10.950 --> 00:01:16.069 This is glory above, dominion below, today on... 18 00:01:41.880 --> 00:01:45.140 One byte at a time. I'm your host, Randy Black. I'm an educator, 19 00:01:45.140 --> 00:01:48.910 technology specialist, and podcaster who's been a Christian for over three decades, 20 00:01:48.910 --> 00:01:52.550 and I'm glad that you've joined me as we continue our journey through the Psalms 21 00:01:52.690 --> 00:01:55.230 together here on Bible Bytes. 22 00:01:56.200 --> 00:02:01.600 Last time on the show, we began our new series, The Most Popular Psalms, with Psalm 1. 23 00:02:02.230 --> 00:02:06.920 We discovered that our daily choices shape the direction of our lives and that 24 00:02:06.920 --> 00:02:11.720 a life rooted in God's Word produces stability, fruitfulness, and a lasting hope. 25 00:02:12.490 --> 00:02:17.580 Today, we're turning our attention to Psalm 8. While Psalm 1 asks us to consider 26 00:02:17.580 --> 00:02:18.990 the path beneath our feet, 27 00:02:19.650 --> 00:02:24.490 Psalm 8 invites us to look upward to the heavens, the moon, and the stars, 28 00:02:24.889 --> 00:02:27.620 and to consider the greatness of the God who created them. 29 00:02:28.430 --> 00:02:33.540 And as we look at God's majesty, we'll also discover something remarkable about ourselves. 30 00:02:34.030 --> 00:02:39.530 The God who created the heavens has chosen to be mindful of humanity and has 31 00:02:39.530 --> 00:02:43.310 entrusted us with responsibility over his creation. 32 00:02:43.970 --> 00:02:48.580 As we study Psalm 8, we'll consider what God's greatness teaches us about all, 33 00:02:49.060 --> 00:02:51.220 humility and responsibility. 34 00:02:52.120 --> 00:02:56.639 Before we open God's word together, let's open up and begin with a word of prayer. 35 00:02:57.900 --> 00:03:02.360 Heavenly Father, we come before you with grateful hearts, humbled by the greatness of who you are. 36 00:03:03.160 --> 00:03:08.020 As we open Psalm 8 today, help us to see your glory in the heavens and throughout 37 00:03:08.020 --> 00:03:09.290 the world that you've created. 38 00:03:10.160 --> 00:03:14.220 Give us hearts that respond to your greatness with genuine awe and with worship. 39 00:03:15.110 --> 00:03:20.770 Lord, help us as we consider the vastness of your creation. Remind us of our 40 00:03:20.770 --> 00:03:22.370 proper place before you. 41 00:03:23.060 --> 00:03:28.950 Keep us from pride, but also remind us that you have created us in your image, 42 00:03:28.950 --> 00:03:32.930 given us dignity, and entrusted us with responsibility. 43 00:03:33.630 --> 00:03:36.920 Give us wisdom to faithfully care for what you've placed in our hands. 44 00:03:37.470 --> 00:03:41.220 Help us exercise the authority you've given us with humility, 45 00:03:41.580 --> 00:03:43.400 compassion, and faithfulness. 46 00:03:44.100 --> 00:03:49.280 And above all, turn our eyes toward you. May this study deepen our understanding 47 00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:53.180 of your greatness, strengthen our humility, and help us live more faithfully 48 00:03:53.180 --> 00:03:56.160 as stewards of all that you've entrusted to us. 49 00:03:57.010 --> 00:04:01.310 We ask these things in the name of your Son, Jesus, our Savior. Amen. 50 00:04:02.150 --> 00:04:08.050 Our study today comes from Psalm 8, a short but powerful psalm that draws our 51 00:04:08.050 --> 00:04:14.140 attention first to the greatness of God and then to the remarkable place he has given to humanity. 52 00:04:15.180 --> 00:04:19.520 As we read these nine verses, listen for the movement of David's thoughts. 53 00:04:20.100 --> 00:04:23.640 He begins by declaring the excellence of God's name. 54 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:28.970 He looks upwards at the heavens, considers the smallness of humanity, 55 00:04:29.690 --> 00:04:35.430 and then marvels that God has given mankind glory, honor, and responsibility. 56 00:04:37.520 --> 00:04:44.440 Psalm 8, beginning in verse 1. O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in 57 00:04:44.440 --> 00:04:48.230 all the earth, who has set thy glory above the heavens. 58 00:04:49.170 --> 00:04:53.830 Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because 59 00:04:53.830 --> 00:04:59.430 of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. 60 00:05:00.310 --> 00:05:04.779 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, 61 00:05:05.020 --> 00:05:09.820 which thou hast ordained, what is man that thou art mindful of him, 62 00:05:10.440 --> 00:05:13.320 and the son of man that thou visiteth him? 63 00:05:14.020 --> 00:05:20.820 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor. 64 00:05:21.700 --> 00:05:25.320 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands. 65 00:05:25.740 --> 00:05:30.250 Thou hast put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, 66 00:05:30.250 --> 00:05:34.970 yea, and the beasts of the field, the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, 67 00:05:35.240 --> 00:05:38.270 and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. 68 00:05:38.700 --> 00:05:44.170 O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth. 69 00:05:46.420 --> 00:05:51.820 What a remarkable progression. David begins with God's glory, 70 00:05:51.820 --> 00:05:57.470 considers the vastness of his creation, and then asks how the God who made all 71 00:05:57.470 --> 00:06:00.029 of this could be mindful of humanity. 72 00:06:00.920 --> 00:06:06.330 Yet the answer is not that mankind is insignificant. God has given humanity 73 00:06:06.330 --> 00:06:09.140 glory, honor, and responsibility. 74 00:06:09.850 --> 00:06:15.300 And that tension between our humility before our great God and the responsibility 75 00:06:15.300 --> 00:06:19.540 he has entrusted to us is at the heart of Psalm 8. 76 00:06:20.260 --> 00:06:25.940 Before we begin to examine those truths more closely, let's take a step back 77 00:06:26.240 --> 00:06:31.230 and consider where this psalm fits within the larger story of Scripture. 78 00:06:32.280 --> 00:06:37.210 Psalm 8 is identified in its opening inscription as a psalm of David. 79 00:06:37.890 --> 00:06:42.030 It was written as a song of worship, giving us a glimpse into David's response 80 00:06:42.030 --> 00:06:45.280 to the greatness of God revealed through creation. 81 00:06:46.470 --> 00:06:51.820 The title also includes the phrase upon getteth. We cannot say with any certainty 82 00:06:51.820 --> 00:06:53.950 exactly what that term refers to, 83 00:06:54.560 --> 00:06:59.580 but it appears to be some kind of musical or liturgical direction reminding 84 00:06:59.580 --> 00:07:04.530 us that these words were intended not simply to be read, but to be sung in worship. 85 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:10.170 Similar musical instructions also appear in Psalm 81 and Psalm 84. 86 00:07:11.020 --> 00:07:15.480 But Psalm 8 is connected to something much older than David's own experience. 87 00:07:16.470 --> 00:07:21.880 When David speaks about humanity being given dominion over the works of God's 88 00:07:21.880 --> 00:07:27.630 hands, he's reflecting the truth that's established back in Genesis chapter 1. 89 00:07:28.180 --> 00:07:30.380 From the beginning, God created mankind 90 00:07:30.380 --> 00:07:34.660 in his image and gave humanity responsibility over all his creation. 91 00:07:35.570 --> 00:07:38.490 That makes David's question even more remarkable here. 92 00:07:39.270 --> 00:07:42.360 He looks at the heavens and recognizes the greatness of God. 93 00:07:42.970 --> 00:07:48.640 Then he considers humanity and asks, what is man? that thou art mindful of him. 94 00:07:49.640 --> 00:07:54.400 And yet scripture doesn't leave that question unanswered. In the New Testament, 95 00:07:54.760 --> 00:07:59.760 we return to Psalm 8 in Hebrews chapter 2, applying its language about humanity's 96 00:07:59.760 --> 00:08:02.080 dominion ultimately to Jesus Christ. 97 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:07.520 What David saw as God's purpose for humanity finds its fullest expression in 98 00:08:07.520 --> 00:08:12.890 Christ, who was made a little lower than the angels and is now crowned with glory and honor. 99 00:08:13.730 --> 00:08:18.200 So, Psalm 8 is doing more than giving us beautiful poetry about the night sky. 100 00:08:18.730 --> 00:08:22.420 It connects creation, humanity's dignity and responsibility, 101 00:08:22.700 --> 00:08:26.330 and ultimately the person and the work of Jesus Christ. 102 00:08:27.210 --> 00:08:32.130 With that foundation in place, let's look first at what David saw when he lifted 103 00:08:32.130 --> 00:08:33.620 his eyes toward the heavens. 104 00:08:34.570 --> 00:08:37.070 Psalm 8 begins with a declaration of. 105 00:08:41.110 --> 00:08:45.750 Name in all the earth, who has set thy glory above the heavens. 106 00:08:46.900 --> 00:08:50.720 David doesn't begin by talking about himself. He begins with God. 107 00:08:51.320 --> 00:08:56.390 And before he considers humanity's place in creation, he establishes the greatness of the Creator. 108 00:08:56.929 --> 00:09:00.790 God's name is excellent in all the earth, and his glory is above the heavens. 109 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:05.840 Then David turns his attention upward. When I consider thy heavens, 110 00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:09.580 the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hath ordained. 111 00:09:10.530 --> 00:09:15.390 David isn't simply admiring a beautiful night sky. He's looking at creation 112 00:09:15.809 --> 00:09:18.100 and recognizing the creator who's behind it. 113 00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:24.620 The heavens are God's work. The moon and the stars are not accidents or objects of worship. 114 00:09:25.010 --> 00:09:27.130 They are evidence of the one who made them. 115 00:09:27.870 --> 00:09:32.309 This same truth appears throughout scripture. Let's look at Psalm 19 verse 1 116 00:09:32.590 --> 00:09:36.380 where it declares this, The heavens declare thy glory of God, 117 00:09:36.679 --> 00:09:39.450 and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. 118 00:09:40.270 --> 00:09:44.040 Creation points beyond itself. When we see 119 00:09:44.420 --> 00:09:47.809 the vastness of the heavens, the complexity of the world around us, 120 00:09:48.160 --> 00:09:53.700 and the order woven throughout creation, we're reminded there is a creator greater 121 00:09:53.700 --> 00:09:55.780 than anything that he has made. 122 00:09:56.679 --> 00:09:59.370 That's where true worship begins. 123 00:10:00.440 --> 00:10:04.260 Carl Boberg experienced something similar when he looked at the world around 124 00:10:04.260 --> 00:10:08.870 him and was moved to write the poem that eventually became the hymn, How Great Thou Art. 125 00:10:09.770 --> 00:10:15.370 The creation wasn't the object of his worship. It directed his attention to God. 126 00:10:16.070 --> 00:10:19.860 This is exactly what David is doing in Psalm 8. 127 00:10:20.700 --> 00:10:24.910 He looks at the heavens and responds with awe because he recognizes the greatness 128 00:10:24.910 --> 00:10:25.950 of the one who created them. 129 00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:30.780 But there's another detail in David's language that's really easy to overlook. 130 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:34.280 He describes the heavens as the work of thy fingers. 131 00:10:35.160 --> 00:10:39.990 Think about the picture David is giving us here. The heavens that seem enormous 132 00:10:39.990 --> 00:10:43.309 to us are described as the work of God's fingers. 133 00:10:44.020 --> 00:10:50.490 The stars that appear beyond our ability to comprehend are still part of what God has fashioned. 134 00:10:51.309 --> 00:10:55.670 The universe may overwhelm us with its size, but it does not overwhelm God. 135 00:10:56.610 --> 00:11:01.679 He's greater than his creation. And when we begin to grasp even a small part 136 00:11:01.679 --> 00:11:04.620 of that truth, it changes our perspective. 137 00:11:05.200 --> 00:11:11.040 It reminds us that God is not simply a larger version of us. He is the creator. 138 00:11:11.690 --> 00:11:17.590 We are his creation. He is sovereign. We are dependent. He is eternal. 139 00:11:18.330 --> 00:11:24.809 Our lives are only temporary. And yet this is where Psalm 8 begins to become even more remarkable. 140 00:11:25.679 --> 00:11:28.840 David has looked at the heavens and recognized how great God is. 141 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:35.080 Now he looks at humanity and asks, What is man that thou art mindful of him? 142 00:11:35.850 --> 00:11:40.520 The greatness of God is about to lead David to an unexpected discovery. 143 00:11:41.340 --> 00:11:48.610 Not that humanity is worthless, but that the God who is so great has chosen to care about us. 144 00:11:49.299 --> 00:11:51.000 And that's where we need to look next. 145 00:11:52.730 --> 00:11:56.500 After looking at the heavens and declaring the greatness of God, 146 00:11:56.970 --> 00:12:01.260 David asks one of the most remarkable questions that we find in all of Scripture. 147 00:12:02.250 --> 00:12:07.870 What is man that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou visiteth him? 148 00:12:09.150 --> 00:12:13.270 Think about what David has just considered. He's looked at the heavens. 149 00:12:13.690 --> 00:12:17.890 He's seen the moon and the stars. He's considered the work of God's hands. 150 00:12:18.350 --> 00:12:23.299 And in comparison to all that, humanity seems incredibly small. 151 00:12:24.730 --> 00:12:30.400 The universe is vast. Our lives are brief. Our abilities are limited. 152 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:34.750 And yet David is amazed that God is mindful of us. 153 00:12:35.640 --> 00:12:40.160 The question isn't, why are human beings so important? The question is, 154 00:12:40.559 --> 00:12:44.890 why would a God this great pay attention to us at all? 155 00:12:45.640 --> 00:12:49.210 And that question gives us an important lesson about biblical humility. 156 00:12:50.040 --> 00:12:54.970 Humility doesn't mean believing that we have no value. It means understanding 157 00:12:54.970 --> 00:12:57.240 where it is our value comes from. 158 00:12:58.570 --> 00:13:06.110 Our worth isn't something we create for ourselves. It comes from the God who created us. 159 00:13:07.150 --> 00:13:10.800 Genesis chapter 1 tells us that God created mankind in his own image. 160 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:15.550 That means human beings have a dignity that is unique within creation. 161 00:13:16.390 --> 00:13:20.360 We are small compared with the heavens, but we are not insignificant to God. 162 00:13:21.340 --> 00:13:26.760 David then continues, For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, 163 00:13:27.160 --> 00:13:32.340 and has crowned him with glory and honor. Notice the balance there. 164 00:13:33.290 --> 00:13:36.910 David doesn't respond to God's greatness by declaring humanity worthless. 165 00:13:37.710 --> 00:13:42.720 Instead, he marvels that God has given humanity glory and honor. 166 00:13:43.540 --> 00:13:44.900 That should change the way that 167 00:13:44.900 --> 00:13:48.840 we see ourselves. We don't need to make ourselves greater than we are. 168 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:52.470 We don't need to prove our worth through accomplishments, possessions, 169 00:13:52.840 --> 00:13:54.730 recognition, or status. 170 00:13:55.690 --> 00:13:59.350 And we don't need to diminish ourselves because we recognize how great God is. 171 00:13:59.880 --> 00:14:02.190 Our identity begins with him. 172 00:14:02.910 --> 00:14:07.090 This is where the connection to how great thou art becomes especially meaningful. 173 00:14:08.140 --> 00:14:11.900 The more clearly we see God's greatness, the more clearly we understand our 174 00:14:11.900 --> 00:14:13.070 proper place before him. 175 00:14:14.080 --> 00:14:19.770 A great God leaves no room for human pride, but a great God who's mindful of 176 00:14:19.770 --> 00:14:23.320 us gives us every reason for gratitude. 177 00:14:24.110 --> 00:14:29.090 There is something deeply comforting about knowing that the creator who holds 178 00:14:29.090 --> 00:14:36.280 the heavens in his hands knows us, cares about us, and has given our lives meaning and purpose. 179 00:14:37.710 --> 00:14:44.300 Psalm 103 reminds us that God knows our frame and remembers that we are dust. 180 00:14:45.310 --> 00:14:50.390 He knows our limitations. He knows our weaknesses. And He knows how fragile 181 00:14:50.390 --> 00:14:52.940 we are, and yet He still cares for us. 182 00:14:53.790 --> 00:15:00.310 That's the humility that Psalm 8 teaches. We are not the center of the universe. God is. 183 00:15:01.070 --> 00:15:03.990 We are not self-sufficient. We depend upon Him. 184 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:06.900 But neither are we meaningless. 185 00:15:07.800 --> 00:15:13.530 We have been created by him, made in his image, and given a purpose that comes from his very hands. 186 00:15:14.330 --> 00:15:18.180 And that brings us to the next part of David's thought. Because God hasn't simply 187 00:15:18.180 --> 00:15:22.370 given humanity dignity, he's also given us responsibility. 188 00:15:23.050 --> 00:15:28.960 The God who crowned humanity with glory and honor has entrusted us with dominion over his creation. 189 00:15:29.660 --> 00:15:36.220 And that is where the humility within us must become responsibility below us. 190 00:15:37.970 --> 00:15:42.930 After asking why God is mindful of humanity, David reveals something very remarkable 191 00:15:42.930 --> 00:15:44.810 about the position God has given us. 192 00:15:45.860 --> 00:15:50.650 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels and has crowned him with glory and honor. 193 00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:56.550 And then he continues further. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands. 194 00:15:56.840 --> 00:15:59.930 Thou hast put all things under his feet. 195 00:16:01.180 --> 00:16:05.460 The God who created everything has entrusted humanity with responsibility over 196 00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:06.590 what it is that he's made. 197 00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:11.350 That takes us back to Genesis chapter 1. When God created mankind in his own 198 00:16:11.350 --> 00:16:15.260 image, he gave them dominion over the fish of the sea, the fowl of the air, 199 00:16:15.420 --> 00:16:17.120 and the living creatures of the earth. 200 00:16:17.800 --> 00:16:19.650 Psalm 8 reflects that same truth. 201 00:16:20.440 --> 00:16:24.660 But we need to understand what biblical dominion means. Dominion does not mean 202 00:16:24.660 --> 00:16:27.940 that creation belongs to us. It belongs to God. 203 00:16:28.540 --> 00:16:34.020 David calls it the works of thy hands. We're not the owners. We are the stewards. 204 00:16:34.760 --> 00:16:37.890 God has entrusted something to us that ultimately belongs to him. 205 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:41.230 That changes the way that we think about responsibility. 206 00:16:42.020 --> 00:16:46.880 When God gives us authority, he isn't giving us permission to use it however we please. 207 00:16:47.330 --> 00:16:50.970 He's giving us something to manage faithfully on his behalf. 208 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:54.700 That applies to more than just the natural world. 209 00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:58.440 God has entrusted each of us with abilities, with opportunities, 210 00:16:58.440 --> 00:17:01.990 resources, relationships, time, and influence. 211 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:06.830 The question isn't simply, what do I have? The better question is, 212 00:17:07.090 --> 00:17:10.820 what has God entrusted to me and how am I using it for Him? 213 00:17:11.609 --> 00:17:14.770 This is where humility and responsibility come together. 214 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:20.630 If we focus only on God's greatness, we might be tempted to think that our lives are too small to matter. 215 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:26.590 If we focus only on humanity's authority, we become proud and forget who gave 216 00:17:26.590 --> 00:17:28.190 us that authority in the first place. 217 00:17:28.970 --> 00:17:32.140 Psalm 8 holds both truths together. 218 00:17:33.160 --> 00:17:38.500 God is infinitely greater than us, and yet he's given us meaningful responsibility. 219 00:17:39.550 --> 00:17:42.900 We are small before him, but we are not without purpose. 220 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:48.030 And there is an even greater dimension to this passage. The writer of Hebrews 221 00:17:48.030 --> 00:17:52.630 quotes Psalm 8 and applies its language ultimately to Jesus Christ. 222 00:17:53.330 --> 00:17:57.150 Hebrews chapter 2 reminds us that although humanity was given dominion, 223 00:17:57.410 --> 00:18:00.720 we do not yet see everything under humanity's feet. 224 00:18:01.490 --> 00:18:05.810 But then the writer points us to Jesus, who was made a little lower than the 225 00:18:05.810 --> 00:18:10.990 angels and crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death for us. 226 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:16.080 Jesus is the one who ultimately fulfills what Psalm 8 describes. 227 00:18:16.710 --> 00:18:21.790 Where humanity failed in stewardship and in obedience, Christ remained perfectly faithful. 228 00:18:22.330 --> 00:18:28.400 He is the true and righteous ruler, and through him we see God's purposes for humanity most clearly. 229 00:18:29.080 --> 00:18:32.440 So Psalm 8 gives us a proper perspective on responsibility. 230 00:18:33.119 --> 00:18:37.140 We don't exercise dominion because we're sovereign. We exercise responsibility 231 00:18:37.320 --> 00:18:38.660 because God is sovereign. 232 00:18:39.540 --> 00:18:42.369 We don't care for what he has made because it belongs to us. 233 00:18:42.660 --> 00:18:45.400 We care for it because it belongs to him. 234 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:49.460 And we don't use the gifts and the opportunities he gives us to elevate ourselves. 235 00:18:49.869 --> 00:18:53.820 We use them to glorify the one who entrusted them to us. 236 00:18:54.590 --> 00:19:00.240 That's the balance that Psalm 8 gives us. Glory above, humility within, 237 00:19:00.470 --> 00:19:02.540 and faithful responsibility below. 238 00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:08.010 When we understand how great God is, we don't become less responsible. 239 00:19:08.490 --> 00:19:14.630 We become more responsible because everything we have ultimately comes from him. 240 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:20.580 Psalm 8 gives us more than a beautiful picture of God's creation. 241 00:19:21.330 --> 00:19:26.170 It gives us a different way to live. The first practical lesson is to cultivate all. 242 00:19:26.820 --> 00:19:30.260 We live in a world filled with distractions, and it's easy to move through our 243 00:19:30.260 --> 00:19:33.369 days without stopping to notice the work of God's hands. 244 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:38.820 Take time to look at the sky, the stars, the changing seasons, 245 00:19:39.070 --> 00:19:41.680 or the world as it places itself around you. 246 00:19:42.470 --> 00:19:45.930 Let creation turn your attention toward the Creator. 247 00:19:47.410 --> 00:19:50.760 When we see the greatness of God, it should change our perspective. 248 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:55.400 And that leads us to the second lesson, practice biblical humility. 249 00:19:56.470 --> 00:20:00.320 Psalm 8 reminds us that we are small compared with our Creator, 250 00:20:00.840 --> 00:20:02.420 but we're not insignificant to Him. 251 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:05.810 Our value doesn't come from our accomplishments, possessions, 252 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:07.770 position, or popularity. 253 00:20:08.320 --> 00:20:12.070 It comes from the God who created us and chose to be mindful of us. 254 00:20:13.630 --> 00:20:18.599 Third, consider what God has entrusted to you, your time, your abilities, 255 00:20:19.349 --> 00:20:23.500 your resources, your relationships, your influence, your opportunities. 256 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:28.849 Instead of asking only, what do I have? Again, ask, what has God entrusted to 257 00:20:28.849 --> 00:20:31.080 me and am I using it faithfully? 258 00:20:32.490 --> 00:20:36.450 Finally, remember that responsibility and humility belong together. 259 00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:41.020 We are not called to exercise dominion as though we own everything. 260 00:20:41.560 --> 00:20:45.150 We're called to be faithful stewards of what belongs to God. 261 00:20:46.310 --> 00:20:49.830 So here's a challenge for this week. Read Psalm 8 again. 262 00:20:50.470 --> 00:20:55.520 If possible, read it somewhere you can see the sky or observe God's creation. 263 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:58.760 Take a few moments to consider His greatness. 264 00:20:59.590 --> 00:21:02.730 Then, ask yourself three questions. 265 00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:06.470 What has God given me that I tend to take for granted? 266 00:21:07.650 --> 00:21:13.320 Where am I tempted toward pride? and what has God entrusted to me that I need 267 00:21:13.320 --> 00:21:14.670 to manage more faithfully. 268 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:22.260 Let Psalm 8 move you from all to humility to faithful responsibility and let 269 00:21:22.260 --> 00:21:24.950 your response to God's greatness be more than words. 270 00:21:25.340 --> 00:21:27.900 Let it shape the way you live. 271 00:21:30.260 --> 00:21:35.950 Psalm 8 takes us from the greatness of God to the responsibility that he's given to humanity. 272 00:21:36.760 --> 00:21:41.740 So let's gather together six important truths that we've discovered in today's study. 273 00:21:43.040 --> 00:21:47.090 First, God's greatness should produce awe and worship. 274 00:21:48.090 --> 00:21:53.530 When David looked at the heavens, the moon, and the stars, he saw more than the beauty of creation. 275 00:21:54.369 --> 00:21:58.740 He saw the work of God's hands. Creation points us toward the Creator, 276 00:21:59.210 --> 00:22:04.030 and it reminds us that God's glory is greater than anything that He has made. 277 00:22:05.560 --> 00:22:11.090 Second, biblical humility recognizes both our smallness and our God-given worth. 278 00:22:12.020 --> 00:22:16.460 We are small compared with the vastness of creation, yet God is mindful of us. 279 00:22:17.109 --> 00:22:22.119 He has crowned humanity with glory and honor. Recognizing God's greatness should 280 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:27.030 humble us, but it should never cause us to believe that our lives have no value. 281 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:32.869 Third, our worth comes from God, not from our achievements. 282 00:22:33.990 --> 00:22:39.200 We don't have to establish our value through possessions or recognition or success or influence. 283 00:22:39.770 --> 00:22:46.099 Our dignity begins with the God who created us in his image and gave our lives a purpose. 284 00:22:48.010 --> 00:22:51.760 Fourth, God has entrusted humanity with meaningful responsibility. 285 00:22:52.590 --> 00:22:57.490 Psalm 8 tells us that God gave humanity dominion over the works of His hands. 286 00:22:58.260 --> 00:23:04.640 Creation ultimately belongs to Him, so our role is not ownership, but stewardship. 287 00:23:04.910 --> 00:23:09.530 We are responsible for faithfully managing what He has placed in our care. 288 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:14.869 Fifth, humility and responsibility must work together. 289 00:23:16.080 --> 00:23:19.090 We should never become so proud that we forget our dependence upon God, 290 00:23:19.470 --> 00:23:23.520 but neither should we become so focused on our smallness that we neglect the 291 00:23:23.520 --> 00:23:25.200 responsibilities He has given us. 292 00:23:26.130 --> 00:23:33.410 We are small before our Creator, yet we have been entrusted with meaningful work from Him. 293 00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:40.480 Finally, Jesus Christ ultimately fulfills the purposes that were revealed in Psalm 8. 294 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:45.540 Hebrews 2 points us toward Christ as the one who fulfills God's purposes for humanity. 295 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:52.750 In Him, we see perfect obedience, true authority, and the glory and honor that God intended. 296 00:23:54.109 --> 00:23:57.470 If there's one truth that I hope you carry with you from today's study, it's this. 297 00:23:58.070 --> 00:24:02.760 The greater our understanding of God becomes, the more humbly we should see 298 00:24:02.760 --> 00:24:08.190 ourselves, and the more faithfully we should fulfill what it is that He's entrusted to us. 299 00:24:09.210 --> 00:24:15.500 Look up and see his glory Look within with humility Then look around you and 300 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:19.440 faithfully care for what God has placed in our hands. 301 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:26.109 Psalm 8 invites us to stop and consider not only the greatness of God, 302 00:24:26.730 --> 00:24:31.340 but how that greatness should shape the way we see ourselves and live our lives. 303 00:24:32.290 --> 00:24:36.300 As you reflect on today's study, consider these questions. First, 304 00:24:36.570 --> 00:24:40.910 when was the last time you deliberately stopped to consider the greatness of God? 305 00:24:42.080 --> 00:24:48.460 Does the wonder of His creation still produce genuine awe and worship inside your heart? 306 00:24:50.080 --> 00:24:53.910 Second, do you have a proper view of yourself before God? 307 00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:59.200 Are you becoming too focused on your own importance? Or have you allowed your 308 00:24:59.200 --> 00:25:02.500 humility to become a belief that your life has little value? 309 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:09.109 Third, where are you looking for your worth? Are you measuring yourself by your 310 00:25:09.109 --> 00:25:15.130 accomplishments, possessions, recognition, or influence rather than remembering 311 00:25:15.390 --> 00:25:18.540 that your value comes from the God who created you? 312 00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:22.760 And fourth, what has God entrusted to you? 313 00:25:23.550 --> 00:25:28.620 Consider your time, abilities, resources, relationships, opportunities, and influence. 314 00:25:29.210 --> 00:25:33.560 Are you managing those things as a faithful steward for him? 315 00:25:34.840 --> 00:25:39.190 Finally, is there an area where pride is interfering with your responsibility 316 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:46.360 or where you've used humility as an excuse to avoid doing what God has called you to do? 317 00:25:47.320 --> 00:25:50.440 Take some time this week to answer those questions honestly before the Lord. 318 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:54.030 Remember, Psalm 8 doesn't tell us that we are worthless. 319 00:25:54.530 --> 00:25:59.550 It reminds us that the God who created the heavens is mindful of us. 320 00:26:00.690 --> 00:26:04.270 We are small before him, but we are not insignificant. 321 00:26:04.390 --> 00:26:09.740 And because he has given us purpose and responsibility, our response should 322 00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:11.570 be humble faithfulness. 323 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:15.810 As we come to the end of our study on today's episode, I want to leave you with 324 00:26:16.210 --> 00:26:18.140 one encouraging truth from Psalm 8. 325 00:26:19.330 --> 00:26:24.500 The God who created the heavens is mindful of you. Think about that for a moment. 326 00:26:25.430 --> 00:26:29.350 The one whose glory is above the heavens knows you, cares about you, 327 00:26:29.760 --> 00:26:31.420 and has given your life purpose. 328 00:26:32.330 --> 00:26:37.710 You may sometimes feel small. You may wonder whether your work matters, 329 00:26:38.130 --> 00:26:43.840 whether your faithfulness is noticed, or whether your life is even making a difference. 330 00:26:44.820 --> 00:26:49.130 But your value isn't determined by how much attention you receive from other 331 00:26:49.130 --> 00:26:52.730 people. Your value comes from the God who created you. 332 00:26:53.620 --> 00:26:58.820 Psalm 8 reminds us that our smallness before God isn't a reason for despair. 333 00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:02.340 It is a reason for humility and for worship. 334 00:27:03.510 --> 00:27:07.930 And when we don't know what our purpose looks like, we can remember what God 335 00:27:07.930 --> 00:27:09.710 has already entrusted to us. 336 00:27:10.320 --> 00:27:14.500 Our time, our abilities, our relationships, our opportunities, 337 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:18.150 and our influence are all opportunities to faithfully serve Him. 338 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:24.390 Ultimately, Psalm 8 points us toward Jesus Christ, through whom God's purposes 339 00:27:24.390 --> 00:27:27.050 for humanity find their fullest expression. 340 00:27:27.820 --> 00:27:31.790 So when you look at the heavens and think, how great thou art, remember this. 341 00:27:32.560 --> 00:27:38.310 That great God is mindful of you. He has given you purpose. He has entrusted 342 00:27:38.310 --> 00:27:39.620 you with responsibility. 343 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:46.350 And he will never be too great to care about you or too distant to walk with you. 344 00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:52.600 Go into this week with humility, gratitude, and confidence in the God who made 345 00:27:52.600 --> 00:27:55.500 the heavens and is mindful of you. 346 00:27:56.930 --> 00:28:00.060 Let's finish up our study by closing out with a word of prayer. 347 00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:05.840 Heavenly Father, we thank you for the greatness of who you are and for the privilege 348 00:28:05.840 --> 00:28:08.300 of considering your word together today. 349 00:28:09.280 --> 00:28:13.980 Thank you for the heavens, the moon and the stars, and all the works of your hands. 350 00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:20.420 Help us to see your glory in creation and to respond with hearts of genuine awe and worship. 351 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:25.690 Father, remind us of our proper place before you. Keep us humble, 352 00:28:25.690 --> 00:28:28.690 knowing that we are dependent upon you for everything. 353 00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:35.050 Yet, thank you for being mindful of us, for creating us in your image, 354 00:28:35.050 --> 00:28:38.380 giving us dignity, and giving our lives purpose. 355 00:28:39.450 --> 00:28:42.780 Help us to faithfully care for everything that you've entrusted to us. 356 00:28:43.490 --> 00:28:48.920 Give us wisdom to use our time, our abilities, resources, relationships, 357 00:28:49.140 --> 00:28:51.540 and opportunities in ways that honor you. 358 00:28:52.670 --> 00:28:56.910 Keep us from pride and from treating your gifts as though they belong to us. 359 00:28:57.980 --> 00:29:03.520 And above all, thank you for Jesus Christ. Thank you that he perfectly fulfills 360 00:29:03.520 --> 00:29:07.910 your purposes and that through him we have hope, forgiveness, 361 00:29:08.310 --> 00:29:10.040 and that promise of eternal life. 362 00:29:11.140 --> 00:29:17.290 As we go into this week, help us to remember how great you are and how faithfully you care for us. 363 00:29:18.020 --> 00:29:23.530 May our all lead us to worship, our humility lead us to faithfulness, 364 00:29:23.890 --> 00:29:27.820 and our understanding of your greatness lead us to serve you more completely. 365 00:29:28.590 --> 00:29:33.530 We ask all these things in the precious name of our Savior, your Son, Jesus. Amen. 366 00:29:34.910 --> 00:29:38.710 As we close out today's episode, I want to thank you for being a part of the Bible Bytes community. 367 00:29:39.300 --> 00:29:43.340 I'm grateful that you're taking the time to study God's Word with me each week. 368 00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:48.080 Today's study is focused on the greatness of God revealed through His creation. 369 00:29:49.340 --> 00:29:52.910 I'd love to hear from you. Is there a particular moment when you've looked at 370 00:29:52.910 --> 00:29:56.530 God's creation and been reminded of how great He is? 371 00:29:57.470 --> 00:30:01.580 Maybe it was a beautiful sunrise, or a night filled with stars, 372 00:30:02.310 --> 00:30:07.680 the sound of a storm, or simply a quiet moment when you stopped and considered the work of his hands. 373 00:30:09.160 --> 00:30:13.100 If you'd like to share that experience, or if you have a question about Scripture, 374 00:30:13.330 --> 00:30:17.650 a prayer request, a suggestion for a future episode, or simply want to tell 375 00:30:17.650 --> 00:30:20.420 me how God is using Bible Bytes in your life, 376 00:30:20.890 --> 00:30:26.610 you can reach me through the contact page on our website at Bible-Bytes.com slash contact. 377 00:30:27.040 --> 00:30:32.140 That's Bible-Bytes with a Y, B-Y-T-E-S dot com slash contact. 378 00:30:33.010 --> 00:30:35.830 Bible Bytes is made possible through the value-for-value model. 379 00:30:36.600 --> 00:30:40.850 If these studies have encouraged your faith or helped you grow in your understanding 380 00:30:40.850 --> 00:30:46.230 of God's Word, I invite you to support the ministry in whatever way you believe it has blessed you. 381 00:30:47.100 --> 00:30:51.320 One way to support Bible Bytes is through Boostagrams using a Podcasting 2.0 app. 382 00:30:51.890 --> 00:30:56.250 Your message and sats are an encouragement to me, and they help support the 383 00:30:56.250 --> 00:30:58.060 continued production of the podcast. 384 00:30:58.670 --> 00:31:03.400 You can also find additional ways to support us by going to our website and 385 00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:06.980 looking at bible-bytes.com slash support, the support page there. 386 00:31:07.340 --> 00:31:11.300 It's bible-bytes, B-Y-T-E-S dot com slash support. 387 00:31:12.160 --> 00:31:15.260 And if you do support the podcast, I'll make sure you receive a shout out on 388 00:31:15.260 --> 00:31:18.250 the next episode produced after your support is received. 389 00:31:18.570 --> 00:31:24.320 I want you to know that your generosity and your encouragement are noticed and they're appreciated. 390 00:31:25.120 --> 00:31:28.660 And finally, one of the simplest ways that you can help Bible Bytes grow is 391 00:31:28.660 --> 00:31:30.600 by sharing an episode with someone else. 392 00:31:31.210 --> 00:31:36.290 Send it to a family member. a friend, a co-worker, or someone from your church 393 00:31:36.290 --> 00:31:38.320 who might be encouraged by God's Word. 394 00:31:38.890 --> 00:31:44.410 Sharing the podcast helps us to reach people who may never discover Bible Bytes otherwise. 395 00:31:45.510 --> 00:31:49.310 Thank you for your prayers, your encouragement, and your support, 396 00:31:49.830 --> 00:31:52.420 and ultimately for being a part of this community. 397 00:31:52.870 --> 00:31:57.750 I'm grateful that we can continue studying God's Word together one episode at a time. 398 00:31:59.430 --> 00:32:02.560 Thank you for joining me for today's study of Psalm 8. 399 00:32:03.280 --> 00:32:07.390 We've looked at the glory of God revealed through creation, considered our humble 400 00:32:07.390 --> 00:32:12.990 place before our Creator, and discovered the responsibility that He has entrusted to humanity. 401 00:32:13.860 --> 00:32:17.570 My prayer is that you'll leave this study with a greater sense of awe toward 402 00:32:17.570 --> 00:32:22.980 God, a deeper humility about who you are, and a renewed desire to faithfully 403 00:32:22.980 --> 00:32:26.020 care for everything that He's placed in your hands. 404 00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:31.420 Perhaps the next time you look in the night sky, you'll remember David's words. 405 00:32:32.020 --> 00:32:34.600 What is man that thou art mindful of him? 406 00:32:35.310 --> 00:32:38.790 The God who created those heavens is mindful of you. 407 00:32:40.320 --> 00:32:43.940 Next time, we'll continue our journey through the most popular Psalms with Psalm 408 00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:48.930 19 in an episode that we're gonna call God Revealed Creation and Scripture. 409 00:32:49.450 --> 00:32:53.810 Psalm 8 has invited us to look at the heavens and consider the greatness of God. 410 00:32:54.300 --> 00:33:00.120 Psalm 19 takes that thought further, showing us how God reveals himself through 411 00:33:00.120 --> 00:33:03.770 the creation we can see and through the word he has given us. 412 00:33:04.450 --> 00:33:06.300 Together, we'll discover what it 413 00:33:06.300 --> 00:33:10.540 means to see God clearly through both his creation and his revealed word. 414 00:33:10.980 --> 00:33:12.820 And I hope you'll join me for that study. 415 00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:16.540 Until then, look up and remember how great God is. 416 00:33:16.940 --> 00:33:21.630 Walk humbly before him and faithfully care for what he has entrusted to you. 417 00:33:22.190 --> 00:33:27.270 Join us next time on Bible Bytes, the podcast where we work to inspire faith one byte at a time.