Thrive: A Journey Through the PsalmsSample

Contemplative Praise

Psalm 8:4
What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? 

How do you summarize to another person the most read, most quoted, and most preached on book of the Bible? If indeed Psalms are praise and prayers, might I ask today, "Is there or has there ever been a more famous Psalm of Praise than this majestic Psalm 8? These phrases have worn themselves into our memory, our hearts. "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" (v.1). 

Today I want to highlight two excerpts from this Psalm.

1. From the Mouths of Children 

In verse 2, the Psalmist reminds us how powerful it is when children praise God. "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise, that silences your enemies" [paraphrased, v.2]. Praise from infants and children silence the foes of God. What is it about the praise of children and their purity of worship to God? If you heard my two-year-old grandson worship, you would understand. He loves to sing "The Blessing" song and knows every word to every verse. What is more, this baby boy insists on and sings this song every time before he goes down for his daily nap. This type of childlike praise is something we should long for in our own lives. 

2. What Is Man That You Are Mindful of Him?

When I consider the starry wonders of the universe, what is mankind that You o God, should take time to consider us? We might ponder: what is mankind that You o God should show mercy to us? How great the mercy of your cross! Psalm 8 ventures: God, You have even elevated us with authority just a little lower than the angels. You make us, mankind, "ruler over the works of your hands" (vs.5-6). 

Challenge for today:

Meditate upon this verse today Psalm 8:4: "What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? 

Vocalize your own words of praise, speaking them out loud and bravely to God today.