Niagara.jpgA psalm of praise and wonder at the majesty and might of YHWH is found in Psalm 8 (after the jump). The psalmist praises God for creation, that is, for the glory that is evoked when one considers the awesome splendor of creation, as can be seen in this internet picture of the waterfalls. 

Even enemies are destined to declare your praise. Let’s be concrete: in our day, David would be saying that someday Dawkins and Hitchens and Harris will join in the chorus of praising the Creator God.
As Goldingay observes (Psalms, Vol. 1: Psalms 1-41 (Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms)
), the proper response here is deference and submission and worship and awe. Against the evidence that some might offer that God does not rule, the psalmist finds God’s rule obvious in creation and the majesty of the name of the Lord.
And YHWH’s majesty is at both ends: over all in the heavens and in hearing the cries of the infants and nursing babies. And the barricade line is metaphor for the contest and conflict of bringing chaos into order, a way of indicating also that justice will be established.
Created order is a promise of justice — someday, somehow!

8:1 O Lord, our Lord,

how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth!

You reveal your majesty in the heavens above!

8:2 From the mouths of children and nursing babies

you have ordained praise on account of your adversaries,

so that you might put an end to the vindictive enemy.

8:3 When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made,

and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place,

8:4 Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them?

Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them,

8:5 and make them a little less than the heavenly beings?

You grant mankind honor and majesty;

8:6 you appoint them to rule over your creation;

you have placed everything under their authority,

8:7 including all the sheep and cattle,

as well as the wild animals,

8:8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea

and everything that moves through the currents of the seas.

8:9 O Lord, our Lord,

how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth!

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