Psalm 8:1-9

This Psalm is considered a Praise Psalm created by David.

 Sermon Main point: Worship God because You are Created with Care and Purpose.

Sermon Outline: A life of Worship

I.    Submit to the greatness of God (vv.1-2)

The Psalm opens with a declaration of the majesty of God’s name. God is addressed here by the use of the covenantal name “LORD”. The word ‘LORD’ is God's personal and covenantal name, emphasizing His Lordship and authority. In the context of Psalm 8, the LORD is the sovereign creator of heaven and earth who is lord over His creation, including humans and animals.

- In vv.1-2 The Psalmist gives praise and adoration to God, and he describes God as “majestic”. God is majestic. The word “majestic” indicates superiority and greatness. David is simply praising God because He is powerful and superior. How did David know that? In v.1, it says that God displayed his glory and power through His creation (moon, stars, cosmos). These heavenly objects could not have existed on their own nor a product of chance. A powerful and superior being created them– the LORD (Jehovah).

In verse 2, David declared that God displayed his superiority by silencing His rivals (v.2). David says, “God has no rival, and He put an end to His enemies.”

David can definitely say this with confidence. Why? You see, David was a teenager and an inexperienced warrior when God used him to slay a veteran and feared warrior, a boastful Philistine named Goliath. Despite being much weaker than Goliath, David won because God was on his side! David was dependent upon God!

Israel, upon exiting Egypt, was a small nation made up of mostly slaves with no army and no fighting experience. Yet, it defeated the surrounding established nations with armies (Jericho and others). Why? Because the superior God was on their side. Notice this: they are victorious as they submit to God, but as they rebel against God, they are defeated by their enemies.

This teaches us to acknowledge that God is superior to other so-called gods that people worship today. There is no other god but the LORD - Jehovah.

And the greatness of God must cause us to submit to Him in Worship.

Application:

To worship God is to have a heart of submission to God. To believe that since God is the superior being who created you with a plan and purpose, you must submit to His plan and purpose for your life.

II.   Smile in the care of God (vv.3-4)

Notice the contrast here - the heavens and man. Huge and small.

But despite man’s smallness, God cares for the well-being of man.

The word ‘care’ means to visit, to look upon in order to help or benefit. In the context of Psalm 8, the LORD, the sovereign creator of heaven and earth, looked upon man and decided to bestow on him dignity (value) and authority (power) over other created beings.

The LORD has decided to give man a special place of high status over other creatures.

- God gave man special attention and the role of honor as overseer and ruler of His creation.

- It is God who determines the value of man, not man. 

Am I valuable? What is my life worth? This are common questions from people who goes through difficulties and shows symptoms of depression. Why? Because they believe the lie of the enemy that says “you are not valuable, you are not worth anything, you are not special, you are just a nobody!

I counsel teenagers who have gone through depression. One of our very effective tool to counter this lie is to teach them the truth - they are valued by God, they are worth loving, they are worth listening to. It has proven to be effective in changing their mindset from hopelessness to hope-filled heart with excitement for the future.

God’s care should put a smile into your face!

Do you believe that God cares for you? Does God’s care mean that we will not experience problems and difficulties in life? I don’t think so.

When I say God cares, God cares by providing the grace and strength to persevere - My Grace is sufficient for you!

Application:

Live a life of gratitude. Are you thankful?

Imitate Christ by caring for others.

III.  Steward the creation of God (vv.5-9)

- Man is created as a being that is lower than the angels. This should make us humble.

- Man should embrace his dignity/honor and seek to live worthily because it is His calling from God.

Gospel: God’s ultimate display of care is through the CROSS.

  The LORD has decided to give man a special place of high status over other creatures and to be stewards of His creation.

What: The majesty of God and the honor of man as God’s appointed steward over His creation.

Why:   So that the reader would render to God the worship that He deserves and for man to be a good steward over God’s creation as a response to the grace of God.

How:  vv.1-3 The Majesty of God displayed in creation

           vv.4-8 The Grace of God displayed in giving honor to man

           v.9       The Worship to God as man’s response to God

Conclusion