Reflection: Psalm 8 and International Development

WCIU Journal: Environmental Studies Topic

January 19, 2015

As the title of one of the books in WCIU’s International Development series says, the goal of international development is God’s will on earth as it is in heaven. Psalm 8 gives a visual picture of the role of humankind in humbly working toward that goal. God’s enemies are silenced by the weakest humans when He gives them strength. God has given dignity and honor to humans by making them the stewards of all his creation. The Psalmist provides our response to God’s greatness and glory: “How excellent is Your name in all the earth!”

Psalm 8: The Lord’s Glory and Man’s Dignity (NKJV)

O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!

Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
You have ordained strength,
Because of Your enemies,
That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
All sheep and oxen—
Even the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air,
And the fish of the sea
That pass through the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth!

After reading Psalm 8, you might like to view this painting inspired by the Psalm by South African artist, Magrit Prigge.