Psalms 8, 14, 16, 18
One day when Jesus went up to Jerusalem, many people were with Him, singing words of a psalm (Psalm 118), in praise to God and to honor Jesus, as One whom God had sent. When they reached the temple, the children still called out there the same words of praise.
The men who were the leaders in the temple were displeased. to hear them. and spoke to Jesus. He answered them with words from the 8th Psalm saying,
Those men knew the psalm, as all the Hebrew people were taught the psalms in childhood, but only those who believe in God’s Son like to hear Him praised. The children’s song made the words of the 8th Psalm come true that day, and also true of Christ’s future glory. God is still honored by the songs of even the youngest child who sings of Jesus.
This psalm tells of the rule of the earth given to man; but Adam lost full power because he sinned, and the earth waits for the right ruler. (Genesis 1:2626And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (Genesis 1:26), Hebrews 2:6-96But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 7Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: 8Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. 9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (Hebrews 2:6‑9)).
In Psalm 14, we learn that
“The Lord looked down from heaven. upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.” But He found “They are all gone aside ... . there is none that doeth good, no not one.” God looks in the heart and can find none pure. But in Psalm 16, a Holy One is spoken of; so there was to be One Who would be holy, and when Jesus was raised from the grave He was proved to be that Holy One (Acts 2:25-3225For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 29Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. (Acts 2:25‑32)).
The 18th Psalm was written by Davin in thanks to God for keeping him safe while King Saul tried to take his life, for Saul did not want David to be king, David had to hide among rocks and in caves many times to escape from Saul and his soldiers. David knew that it was the Lord who kept him safe, so he says,
“The Lord is my Rock, and my Fortress and my Deliverer,”
Some words used by David are no often used now, as a “buckler”, which was like a shield, only strapped around a soldier’s body to protect him from the enemy’s arrows or spears, and a shield was held in the hand. A “horn” meant power or victory, because horns were the power or weapon of some animals, and horn was used as a trumpet in victory. David said that often he was afraid, but he called on the Lord to save him, and had much praise to sing.
This psalm is given almost the same in 2 Samuel 22.
What same words begin and end the 8th Psalm?
ML 07/07/1940