Psalms 8 - A Psalm Of Christmas Series

Intro: Gift giving is a big part of the Christmas celebration. Retailers are literally banking on it!

The 5 week period between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas is the season where approximately 25% of their annual sales takes place!

The Christian tradition of gift giving at Christmas has its roots in the Nativity story, where the Magi gave gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ Child.

Yet in my mind, the truth and tradition of giving gifts go far deeper delving into the depths 0f what the gospel is all about! It can be traced back to a statement Isaiah made 700 years before the Child was Born:

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. -

KJV

The most quoted bible verse affirms it:

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.-KJV

What’s the point? Simply this: That what this season reminds us of is this: THAT THE GREATEST GIFT EVER GIVEN WAS THE GIFT OF GOD GIVING US HIS SON!

And I believe that as you unwrap this Psalm, you can see the greatness of the gift God has given us in the person of Jesus!

Proposition: A study of Psalm 8 will help to see what an “indescribable, unspeakable gift” God’s Son, Jesus really is!

And I get those two words from the following passage..

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! -NIV

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift-KJV

Unspeakable - ??e?d????t?? - anekdiegetos

1. Trying to describe or commemorate something which words fail!

It is beyond words, but I will try with the help of the Holy Spirit to share with my words that will help us see that indescribability of God’s Glorious Gift Given to us Through His Son!

Let’s begin with the backdrop of where this Psalm begins, with:

I. THE MAJESTY OF GOD!

The Psalm begins with:

A) God’s Praise!

Psalm 8:1a O Lord,

1. Lord – ????? Yah·weh

a) The proper name of the God of Israel

b) The covenant Lord of Israel

c) Yeh·ho·vä - ??????? -Jehovah = "The Self Existing – Eternal One"

Psalm 8:1b our Lord,

2. Lord – ??????- ä·don' – Adonai, Master, Ruler, King, Head, Superintendent of our affairs.

Psalm 8:1c how excellent

3. Excellent – ??????? - ad·der – Great, Majestic, Excellent, Noble, Marvelous, Awesome

Psalm 8:1c how majestic is your name….(NIV)

4. Name – ???? – shem - Reputation, fame, glory.

Psalm 8:1d in all the earth!– KJV

5. Earth -???????? (ha·’a·re?)

a) Every land, country, territory, district, region, city, state, mountain and plain, in every plot and piece of ground!

And then it points out….

B) God’s Place:

Psalm 8:1e who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

1. Above the heavens – ???????? – shamayim - visible heavens, sky,

2. The Bible speaks of three heavens:

a) The first being the immediate atmosphere above the earth.

b) The second, outer space, the galaxies, and universe.

c) The third is the place where God himself dwells – God’s abode.

i. Where His Glorious Throne is established

ii. Where the Celestial Beings, The Holy Angels Sing His Praise

iii. Where Christ is seated at the Right Hand of The Father

iv. The place from which:

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. -KJV

C) Point?

1, Bible says much about the God’s Majesty!

1 Chronicles 16:27 Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and gladness are in His place. -NKJV

1 Chronicles 29:11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory,

The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;

Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head over all.-NKJV

Job 37:22 He comes from the north as golden splendor; With God is awesome majesty. NKJV

Psalm 96:6 (NKJV)

Honor and majesty are before Him;

Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

D) The Perspective?

Psalm 93:1 (NKJV)

The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty;

The LORD is clothed,

He has girded Himself with strength.

Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved.

Psalm 104 (NKJV)

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul!

O LORD my God, You are very great:

You are clothed with honor and majesty,

2 Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment,

Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain.