I am so mindful of the time-crunches every day, that grab the moments of silence and contemplation one needs. I am so very thankful for the opportunities to serve that my heavenly Father has placed before me – especially with Christian Courier Publications (http://www.christiancourier.com). I am grateful for the health that allows me to help my eighty-three year old mother. Yet, I find myself starving for personal Bible study time. I know that you have times like these as well. You may have little children, aged parents, an ailing mate, ill health, or some other distraction.

What Do I Need?

When I finally sit down to read and to study, I am wondering – what do I need? What study would benefit me the most at this time in my life? I know how to worship scripturally, and I know how I should live morally. As I considered this question, I realized that my greatest daily need is to be aware of my heavenly Father in more than a passing, hurried prayer, and a quick reading of some text.

Thus, I have decided to share with you my study of passages that focus upon the majesty and excellence of God. To pause and think of the awesomeness of His being, is to be encouraged to practice what we know, and to be strengthened for the challenges before us.

O LORD, Our Lord

A wonderful text is Psalm 8:1. I love the way the English Standard Version reads.

O LORD, our Lord,
How majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.

The psalmist begins his awestruck praise with: “LORD, our Lord” (ESV). The American Standard Version has it, “Jehovah, our Lord.” The capital letters in some versions for the first word translated “LORD” gives us a clue that this is Yahweh - the I AM of Exodus 4:14. He is the “always existing one” - Jehovah. The second word, “Lord” is Adonai, meaning Lord, master, overseer.

To meditate upon the eternality of God is breath-taking. We struggle from our narrow scope of existence to fathom the greatness of such a Being. Acknowledging God for who He is, compels us to declare Him as Lord of our lives.

Matthew Henry comments on how the psalmist “addresses himself to God with all humility and reverence, as the Lord and his people’s Lord. ...when we come to praise him, we shall never think we can do that with affection enough if we consider, ...How brightly God’s glory shines even in this lower world: ...How excellent is his name in all the earth! How great, how illustrious, how magnificent, is his name in all the earth!... The light of it shines in men’s faces every where (Rom. 1:20); if they shut their eyes against it, that is their fault.”

We come in contact with people who are so depraved that they do not hesitate to use God’s name in vain, or curse their own mothers. In spite of themselves, their tongues (though polluted), their eyes (though they behold wickedness) declare the glory of God in His creative powers and wisdom as the Great Designer.

The Majesty on High

The adjective “majesty” can also be translated “excellent” or “noble.” While “excellent” is a wonderful word, I enjoy the translation “majesty.” This word brings to my heart the realization of the Kingship of God. The writer of Hebrews refers to Him as the “the Majesty on high.” (Heb. 1:3). Psalm 93:1 proclaims, “Jehovah reigneth; he is clothed with majesty.”

As the subject of a heavenly King, I must be impressed, I must be moved to be more spiritually minded. He is my ruler. But he also is the perfect King who watches over me in His kingdom. He protects and provides. What a marvelous, motivating truth! As I pray, I must be mindful of His excellence and His majesty. Reading from the American Standard Version, Psalm 145:1-5:

I will extol thee, my God, O King;
And I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
Every day will I bless thee;
And I will praise thy name forever and ever.
Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised;
And His greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall laud thy works to another,
And shall declare thy mighty acts.
Of the glorious majesty of thine honor,
And of thy wondrous works, will I meditate.

Come along with me as we study Psalm 8 together in succeeding articles. Today, read Psalm 145:1-5. Note verse 5: ”On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wonderful works, I will meditate” (ESV).

Memorize Psalm 8:1 and 145:5. Spend some time meditating upon the majesty of our God and King as you are on auto-pilot, going about your tasks. (Perhaps you will want to read Matthew Henry’s introduction and commentary on Psalm 8:1-2 at http://www.apostolic-churches.net/bible/mhc/preface/psalms.html)