A Study Of Psalm 8

Having focused upon Psalm 8:1, and the majesty of the Heavenly King, let our study of the psalm continue. W.T. Purkiser, in the Beacon Bible Commentary wrote, "Psalm 8 is a perfect gem of adoration, praise, and worship." (Kansas City, Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, Vol. III, p. 156).

Commentators have different views of Psalm 8:1b, due to some obscurity of the word translated "upon" (ASV), and in other versions by "above." Thus the problem of determining whether the meaning of this passage is God's glory as declared "in" heaven, or before mankind "by" the heavens. Many of the psalms speak of God's glory upon the earth, or above the earth. The problem is not of significance as both are in biblical harmony.

Having stated the case for the glory and majesty of God, David presents the evidence.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

"Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have established strength because of your foes. To still the enemy and the avenger." How is this verse a part of David's case for the majesty and excellence of the Lord?

The design of the newborn baby is ample proof of a Creator. Even the mechanics of his first gasp for air, and the sucking instinct, point to a wise Designer. But this verse is more breath-taking than the amazing ways of a newborn. Charles Spurgeon commented, "Not only in the heavens above is the Lord seen, but the earth beneath is telling forth his majesty?here below, the lisping utterances of babes are the manifestations of his strength in little ones. Did not children cry 'Hosanna!' in the temple, when proud Pharisees were silent and contemptuous? And did not the Saviour quote these very words as a justification of their infantile cries?" (Treasuries of David, Byron Center, MI: Associated Publishers and Authors, Inc., Vol. I, p. 90). (Also, see the April 2004 feature article of the Christian Courier On The Web: http://www.christiancourier.com/feature/2004_04.htm ).

Another writer notes: "So manifest are God's perfections, that by very weak instruments He conclusively sets forth His praise. Infants are not only wonderful illustrations of God's power and skill, in their physical constitution, instincts, and early developed intelligence, but also in their spontaneous admiration of God's works, by which they put to shame—still—or, silence men who rail and cavil against God." (Jamieson, Faucett, and Brown, Commentary on The Whole Bible, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, p. 349).

The day after the "Triumphant Entry" (Mt. 21:1-16; Mk. 11:11-18), children were crying in the temple complex, "Hosanna to the son of David!" The Pharisees were moved to indignation and chided the Lord for allowing it. Jesus rebuked and silenced the Pharisees by quoting Psalm 8:2 (Mt. 21:16). The Lord was pleased to hear the praises of those sweet children at a time so near to the day of his passion.

"He who delights in the songs of angels is pleased to honour himself in the eyes of his enemies by the praises of little children" (Spurgeon, p. 90). Today, listening to young children singing hymns to God in the assembly is indeed a blessing sublime. How pleased our Father must be when he sees little children being trained to worship.

Jesus Loves The Little Children

The Lord does not despise small things, and especially little children (Zech. 4:10; cf. www.christiancourier.com/penpoints/smallThings.htm). Unlike the disciples, the Lord welcomed those little ones so fresh from God. When the disciples were worried that parents were imposing upon Christ, the Everlasting Father (Isa. 9:6), the gentle Jesus rebuked them (Matt. 19:13-15; Mk. 10:13-16; Lk. 18:15-17). Jesus loves the little children. He uses these comparatively weak little people to teach us, and to silence us when we are prone to arrogance and ugliness.

Jesus blessed the little children; he centered one of them among those rugged men as a visual aid. He warned, "Verily, I say unto you, Except you turn, and become as little children, you shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Mt. 18:1-4).

Why did the Lord tell the disciples that unless they "turned" (Grk. strepho - "be converted" KJV; see W.E. Vine, Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, Nashville: Nelson, p. 230), and became as little children they could not enter into the kingdom? The disciples had just asked the Lord about who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. They had a problem. First, they did not understand the spiritual nature of the kingdom of God—even up to the time of the Lord's ascension (Acts 1:6). Second, they vied for positions of prestige. Their attitudes needed converted from prideful ambition to humility. Time and again, the Lord patiently taught them to be humble. Eventually, the lesson was learned. The apostle Peter finally was able to teach the same lesson to others (1 Pet. 5:5-6). When we ambitiously seek positions of honor (no matter how small among men they might be), we are on dangerous footing. Let us turn from such haughtiness.

It is an amazing phenomenon that little children are so forgiving in disposition. Even the abusive parent is looked up to, with sincere love and the desire for approval. If our level of forgiveness could only come close to that of a little child's capacity for it, what wonderful changes would occur. How great it would be if we could love that way. When wounded, do we still love?

Little children have such a keen moral sense. Most people know the saying, "Out of the mouths of babes," which undoubtedly comes from Psalm 8:2. It is frequently used to describe the uncanny wisdom children sometimes express. The tiny child is weak in comparison to the wonders of the creation and adults. Yet, his make-up is so full of wonder—his loving ways, his forgiving nature, his appetite for knowledge and willingness to learn from others—that the Lord himself taught that to be in the kingdom, we must be as a little child (Lk. 18:17).

How important children are to the future of the church, and the nation. It is unfathomable that parents/care-givers neglect and abuse them. Today, many children are growing up disconnected because they have had to rear themselves, being latch-key kids. With no one to greet them at home, no one to advise or comfort them at the moment of need, is it any wonder that there are so many problems and suicides among the youth of today.

Have you ever pondered a world without children? I think not. What a dreary place it would be without these wonderful little people. Observe the children in your life. What can you learn from them, what can you teach them?

The Lord also figuratively called the disciples "babes" in Matthew 11:25. Like little children, they were willing learners. In spite of the cultural shaping of their thinking about the kingdom, they were not forced to follow Jesus. Consider the wonder of the accomplishment of those "babes" in turning the world upside down with their preaching. Those professionally unlearned men (though not ignorant as the word is commonly used today – see Acts 4:13), were tools in God's hands. As babes in the truth, they preached the gospel. Yes, the Lord is magnified by the small or weak things.

The apostle Paul recognized his own weakness as a mere human being, but he honored the heavenly Father for using him as one of his mighty men, as he courageously preached the message of the Lord to a hostile world (2 Cor. 6:1-10; 12:9-10). The disciples matured and became strong men whose faith did not waiver in the face of persecution and death.

Jesus, the Humble Servant

The weak of the earth have accomplished great things for the Lord. Baby Moses grew up to be the great leader of Israel; the lad, David, slew the blasphemous Goliath. Because of the baby in the manger, billions of lives have been touched in some way. Consider, Mary the humble mother of Jesus, as she served God in bringing forth Immanuel. She was willing to suffer the whispers against her character, and the emotional pain of seeing her Son on the cross.

Jesus had a humble beginning upon the earth as a dependent infant. He became the Humble Servant for our sakes (Phil.2:5-11). In his death and humiliation the Lamb curbed Satan's bondage over us (cf. 2 Cor. 13:4, Acts 8:33, Heb. 2:13-15). He has even forever identified with us, calling us his brethren (Heb. 2:11-12). By his resurrection he was declared to be the Son of God (Rom. 1:3-4), glorifying the God of heaven.

Let us be motivated to consider ourselves as humble servants who, through our human weakness, can glorify the Majesty on High. If we are ready, eager and prepared to serve him in every way, though weak, we can honor God and accomplish more than we ever dreamed (2 Cor. 12:10). As lowly salt permeating our communities, or as little lights shining in the darkness, enemies can be silenced, and perhaps encouraged to accept the plan of salvation, by which the Father will be glorified (Matt. 5:13-16).

Verses worthy of memorization: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Suggested reading: Philippians 2, Luke 1:39-55