Psalm 8:3-4: The Triune God: A Caring Creator
Psalm 8:3-4: When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him? [1]
Psalm 8:1-2 showed us humanity’s privileged position because God has entrusted mankind with His creation and sustains them from infancy, but most clearly shows His love in Christ. [2] Verses 3-4 continue the same picture. Out of all the creatures, only humans can look at the heavens and ponder their position and purpose. [3] The world around us forces us to acknowledge there is a Creator and question our status before Him. [4] But people are not the byproduct of a cold and distant designer. The astounding truth is that the Trinity is loving. [5] One scholar explains: “Mindful has a compassionately purposeful ring, since ‘God’s remembering always implies his movement toward the object of his memory’; and care . . . similarly implies His action as well as His concern.” [6] The Lord is your intentional, pursing, active Friend Who deliberately loves and rescues you.
While the universe is enough to show us there is a purposeful Creator, it is insufficient to guide us into true worship. [7] This is why the Creator became man so He could be the Creator of salvation. [8] The glory of the Gospel is not that humans only have the ability to reason, but that humans are so loved Christ lovingly died for them. [9]
This blog was written by Seth Dunn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Logos Bible Software. All Scripture references will be ESV unless noted otherwise.
[2] John Calvin & J. Anderson. Commentary on the Book of Psalms Vol. 1. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), Logos Bible Software, 93-94.
[3] Derek Kidner. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Psalms 1-72, An Introduction and Commentary on Books I and II of the Psalms. General Ed: D.J. Wiseman. (Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1973), 67.
[4] Romans 1:18-32.
[5] Kidner, Psalms 1-72, 67.
[6] Kidner, Psalms 1-72, 67.
[7] Louis Berkhof. Systematic Theology: With a Complete Textual Index, 4th Revised and Enlarged Ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1977), 36-40.
[8] Colossians 1:15-23.
[9] John 3:16; Ephesians 1:3-11.