Psalm 8:7-9: “The Redeemer-King” [1]
Psalm 8:7-9: 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.
O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth! [2]
As David closes this Psalm, he reminds us of two important things: (1) man’s functioning as God’s representative on earth, and (2) that “The Redeemer-King of Israel is the Creator.” [3] Verse 9 helps us remember that the subject of this Psalm is the LORD, Who is to be praised. [4] Any authority and rule that people have on earth has been given from God by His wisdom. [5] The pinnacle of praise in this Psalm is that the Triune God has chosen, in love, to reveal Himself to His people. [6]
Think about the joys we have discussed in this Psalm: man’s privileged position, God’s sustaining and creative work in man, and the restorative work of Christ. We would not know any of that if it were not for God’s revelation. We would not even know that we are more valuable than animals if we did not have God’s Word. What a joy, an undeserved joy, that the Almighty has made these things know to us, particularly in His Son. [7] Psalm 8 should lead us into heartfelt worship of a “Redeemer-King” Who has rescued us from ignorance of Himself, which leads into meaninglessness, uncertainty, separation from others, and devaluing in nature. [8] You can only have hope, purpose, sense, and value in the world if Jesus Christ is your exclusive Savior from sin. Turn to Him by confessing your sin and need of Him in prayer and you will see the glory David expressed in this Psalm.
This blog was written by Seth Dunn
[1] Title take from Willem A. VanGemeren. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary with the New International Version of the Holy Bible in Twelve Volumes: Vol. 5 (Psalms-Song of Songs). General Ed. Frank E. Gaebelein. (Grand Rapids, MI: The Zondervan Corporation, 1991), 110.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Logos Bible Software. All Scripture references will be ESV unless noted otherwise.
[3] VanGemeren, Expositor’s, 114 and 110.
[4] VanGemeren, Expositor’s, 110.
[5] VanGemeren, Expositor’s, 110.
[6] VanGemeren, Expositor’s, 110.
[7] Hebrews 1:1-3.
[8] Proverbs 30:1-9.