Friday, August 10, 2018
Psalm 8:1, 9 . . . O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!
"O LORD, OUR LORD, HOW EXCELLENT IS YOUR NAME . . ." (4)
Notice how the last verse of Psalm 8 echoes the first verse. Sandwiched between these verses are the many reasons people have to praise and worship the one and only true and living LORD God.
As king of Israel David had accumulated great earthly riches and enjoyed many luxuries. But as our source of praise he has taught us that above all else we need to look at God's NAME and what that Name means.
What it means David itemizes in another psalm: "Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. . . ." (Psalm 103:1-5).
Above all else our Savior-God is revealed as a merciful, compassionate, loving and forgiving God. And His glory is revealed in all its fullness in His Son Jesus Christ.
What marvelous comfort! As great, powerful, and holy as God is, no need to worry about how He feels about this world of unworthy sinners. By grace alone He undertook the work of redeeming and justifying the whole world through the holy life and innocent death of His one and only Son on the cross.
So we ever sing joyfully with the hymnwriter:
Jesus is the name we treasure, Name beyond what words can tell;
Name of gladness, name of pleasure, Ear and heart delighting well;
Name of sweetness, passing measure, Saving us from sin and hell.
Jesus is the name prevailing Over every name by right;
At this name, in terror quailing, Powers of hell are put to flight;
God, in mercy never failing, Saves us by this name of might.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 116:2, 5)
