Psalm Fun

I recently read on a really great blog called, “All 4 The Glory of God” : -) about a little challenge to write a poem based on a Psalm of thanksgiving or praise.   I love the idea!  And I have even been studying  a little verse within a really great Psalm that would probably be classified as a praise song of our Creator.   However, I’m really struggling to write a poem about it.   I know the Lord has given each one of us very unique and wonderful gifts and abilities.  But, for now, for me, writing poetry would definitely not be one of those gifts!!  So, unfortunately, I probably won’t be able to contribute much to this challenge.    But you need to check out Kyle and Lydia’s poems . . .they are awesome!!! 

However, I am really excited about what I’m learning as I study Psalm 8.   As our family is in the midst of preparing simultaneously for the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; and also, Lord willing, for the blessing of another child through adoption, I am particularly excited about how timely and significant a study of Psalm 8:4 is right now!    

Psalm 8

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! 

 Recently, I have been reading an interesting article by Dan Curver, of Together for Adoption, entitled “True Religion:  A Gospel-Centered Look at James 1:27.”  I had always wondered what James 1:27 REALLY means by “visiting” orphans in their distress.  (“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this; to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”)  His article, a study of Psalm 8:4 and a passage in Hebrews 2, has really helped clarify this for me.   There's so much depth and insight in his writing, so I best just quote him to help express all that I'm learning. 

Mr. Cruver writes, “I found it interesting that the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, uses the same Greek word translated “visit” in James 1:27 to translate the Hebrew word “visit” in Psalm 8:4.   In Psalm 8:4, this word is used to refer to God’s gracious redemptive care for man.  In James 1:27, it is used to refer to the Christian’s gracious redemptive care for orphans.” 

Then, he uses the cross-reference of Hebrews 2:6-8, which is a passage that quotes Psalm 8:4-6, to further elaborate on the connection between James 1:27 and Psalm 4.  “The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus became man in order that he might redeem us from our fallen condition, that he might rescue us from the power and fear of death.  According to Hebrews’ use of Psalm 8:4, Jesus is the one in whom God the Father’s redemptive care or visitation is climatically accomplished.” 

“Now, if Psalm 8 in general has been fulfilled in Jesus, how has Psalm 8:4 in particular (What is man . . .that you visit him?”) been fulfilled in him?  In other words, how is it that God has ultimately visited man within the unfolding saga of human history?  I think Hebrews 2 provides an answer for us when it tells us Jesus was made man in order that he might redeem us through his own suffering and death.  According to Hebrews 2, Psalm 8:4 was fulfilled in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  Think of it this way:  Through the incarnation of his eternal Son, God entered into the very heart of our misery and brokenness (i.e. our affliction) in order that he might redeem us.  I think we are now very close to seeing how all of this opens up our understanding of James 1:27.” 

More to come!