Psalm Book PDF

Psalm Eight Nature was one of the key forces that brought me back to God, for I wanted to know the Artist responsible for beauty such as I saw on grand scale in photos from space telescopes or on minute scale such as in the intricate designs on a butterfly wing.

Around 9 p.m. we received a call on our home phone. “Your cows are out, and they are headed out the road,” the neighbor explained on the phone. Our family hustled to grab coats, muck boots, and four-wheeler keys before heading to gather the wayward herd. When we arrived on the scene, we found ten cows and ten calves happily ambling down the hardtop. With the help of the neighbor, we turned them around and ushered them safely back to their field. Although the herd begrudgingly went back to our farm, they quickly went back to munching on grass. This bovine escapade happens more frequently than one might expect. However, feeding, watering, and keeping the cows safe in their pasture are just a few ways we, as farmers, take good care of our animals. After double-checking that the gate was locked, our family started walking back home. The peep frogs chirped as we gazed up at the night sky. The full moon and twinkling stars stretched overhead, and suddenly, we felt very small. Pondering our human frailty in comparison with the magnificent sky, I asked aloud, “Why do we matter to God?” It turns out that David, too, had this same question many years ago. When we look at Psalm 8, we see that David recognizes that our Lord is the creator of all things and even established the moon and stars with his fingers! Yet, according to verse 5, we have been crowned with glory and honor. “Why?” you might ask. Because we are made in his image! We were each made with a purpose – to glorify God. In verse 6, David tells us that we have also been given dominion over “the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.” In other words, we are stewards of his creation. This means, when our family takes time to herd our cattle to safety, we bring glory to God. In all the ways we care for our animals, land, and each other, we glorify God. How much more does God value us? The greatness of God assures the worth of mankind. God, the all-powerful Creator, cares for his most valuable creation – people. When we look at the vast expanse of creation, we wonder how God could be concerned for us. We have great worth because we bear the stamp of the Creator, and we should declare his majestic name throughout the earth!

-Philip Yancey