5Yet you made them only a little lower than God[1]
and crowned them[2] with glory and honor.
Translation notes (2)
- 8:5a Or Yet you made them only a little lower than the angels; Hebrew reads Yet you made him [i.e., man] a little lower than Elohim.
- 8:5b Hebrew him [i.e., man]; similarly in 8:6.
During our Bible study yesterday, we were reminded that observing God’s communication to us through His creation leads us to humility. When we see God’s glory and power on display through the world He created, we cannot help but be reminded that we are mere mortals. That was exactly David’s attitude in Psalm 8. We looked at the first half of the Psalm yesterday, where David said, “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers…what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?” (verses 3-4). The remarkable truth is, although we are mere mortals, God sees us and deeply loves us!
David continued his writing in Psalm 8 by explaining that although human beings are mere mortals, we are seen and valued by God. After asking the question, “What are mere mortals that you should think about them…that you should care for them?”, David continued this wrote, “Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor” (verse 5). In this verse, David marvels at the fact that God loves and cares for us, mere mortals that we are. He, the one true God and the creator of the universe, values us. This is no small promise for us to claim! The God of the universe, who created the world and hung the moon and the stars in the sky, is, indeed, mindful of us, not because of anything we have done, but simply because He created us and He loves us. Jesus tells us in Luke 12 that God is so mindful of us and involved in our lives that He knows how many hairs are on our heads (verse 7). The level of care and love that God has for us should give us peace and a humble confidence, knowing that we are significant to God and deeply loved by Him.
So many people today think that they have to earn value and love. May the Scripture you studied today correct that line of thinking. You are already valuable and loved by God simply because you are His beloved creation. May you find peace knowing that He sees you and values you, and may you walk in a quiet confidence as a result.
Moving toward action
Have you been looking to anyone or anything else but God for approval and value? It is time to acknowledge that before God today, whether it is a relationship, a position, a possession, or something else. Confess to Him anything you have looked to besides Him. Commit to looking to Him and Him alone to define you and assign you approval and value.
Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.
“God, You are the One who assigns my worth and value. Help me…”
Going deeper
1O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
Your glory is higher than the heavens.
2You have taught children and infants
to tell of your strength,[1]
silencing your enemies
and all who oppose you.
3When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
the moon and the stars you set in place—
4what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?[2]
5Yet you made them only a little lower than God[3]
and crowned them[4] with glory and honor.
6You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority—
7the flocks and the herds
and all the wild animals,
8the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
and everything that swims the ocean currents.
9O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
Translation notes (4)
- 8:2 Greek version reads to give you praise. Compare Matt 21:16.
- 8:4 Hebrew what is man that you should think of him, / the son of man that you should care for him?
- 8:5a Or Yet you made them only a little lower than the angels; Hebrew reads Yet you made him [i.e., man] a little lower than Elohim.
- 8:5b Hebrew him [i.e., man]; similarly in 8:6.
Loading saved progress…
Your place is saved in this browser. It will not follow you to another device, and clearing browser data removes it.