Words of Comfort, Hope and JoySample

The Psalmist offers a layered view of his world. First are the celestial bodies—stars and the moon; then are the heavenly beings, who are inferior to God but above humans; and third, the planet Earth and all its creatures.

The question, “What is man?” echoes through these three realms. Human beings are tiny compared to the size and splendor of celestial bodies. They are distant and unreachable, yet their light brightens the skies. He admits that humans are lower in rank than heavenly beings. Nonetheless, human beings are still “crowned with glory and honor.”

Nevertheless, human beings are unique because they are the stewards of what the Lord has created. “You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas” (Psalms 8:6-8, ESV).

Most likely, Psalm 8 is a communal song sung by a group gazing at the starry sky. Imagine a community in a time when there were no artificial lights, where nocturnal animals roamed, and people had to look through windows at the pitch-black, frightening darkness.

But instead of fear, they have faith in the creator God, who not only made the wild animals but also placed them under human authority: “You have given him dominion over the works of your hands.”

Faith wanes when we forget the creator of this universe. Life becomes fearsome when we neglect the fact that the Lord has given us authority over all that he has made. Creator God entrusted the created order to the children of God to enjoy and care for.

Pause today and look up—at the stars, the skies, the wonder of creation. Steward the world with reverence, walk humbly with your Creator, and let worship reshape how you see yourself and others.