About This Video
Psalm 8 inspires reflection on the magnificence of God's creation and His incomparable glory, urging believers to recognize and reject idolatry in their lives. Emphasizing introspection, Shawn teaches that anything idolized over God—whether tangible or intangible like pride or societal opinions—should be identified and removed to honor the preeminence of YAHAVAH.
Shawn emphasizes that true spiritual victory and divine ascension are not achieved through earthly power or force, but through humility and meekness, echoing the teachings of scripture that the meek will inherit the earth and be guided by God. This teaching highlights that humility is the foundation for authentic faith and love, preparing believers to receive and follow God wholeheartedly.
This teaching by Shawn emphasizes the importance of meekness and humility as central qualities, highlighting scriptural instances where God favors the humble and meek over the powerful and wise, indicating that true strength and victory come from a humble spirit in alignment with God's will. The biblical references show that God prioritizes those who are meek, revealing profound spiritual truths to them, and ensuring that His glory is not overshadowed by human arrogance, as evidenced in teachings from Psalms, Isaiah, Matthew, and Corinthians.
Meekness and humility do not equate to passivity or avoidance of truth; rather, true humility involves unwavering dedication to God's will, which may involve taking bold actions that could be misconstrued as arrogance when performed out of deep, spiritual devotion. This teaching contrasts worldly empowerment, driven by ego and pride, with the empowerment that comes from a sincere, humble commitment to God, encouraging believers to act through His Spirit in alignment with divine purpose.
The teaching by Shawn discusses the transition from humanity's role and responsibility over creation, as initially described in Genesis, to Christ's reign, highlighting that while humans were made lower than angels, they were granted dominion over the earth, but ultimately Christ, referred to as the last Adam, was given authority over all things. It emphasizes that while humanity was entrusted with stewardship, this must be exercised with respect and care, reflecting the way Christ, who also was made lower than angels to fulfill His purpose through suffering, rules with honor and consideration for all creation.
The teaching explores the theme of God's mindfulness and human dominion, emphasizing that through the Messiah, who was made lower than angels to suffer death, many are brought to glory. It likens David's triumph over Goliath to Christ's spiritual victory over evil, portraying a transition from physical dominion to spiritual conquest, underscoring themes of grace, sacrifice, and triumph over darkness.
God provides refuge and justice for the oppressed, executing judgment on the wicked, while being ever-present to those who seek and trust in him. This teaching emphasizes God's attention to the cries of the humble and the ultimate defeat of those who forget him, with aims to illustrate that human pride and wickedness are futile against divine justice.
Psalm 11 underscores the themes of trust in God and the testing of the righteous, highlighting that while the wicked may be active, God observes from His temple and will ultimately bring judgment upon them. The righteous, loved by God, are encouraged to maintain their integrity amidst challenges, as God evaluates both the just and the wicked.
Exploring Psalms
WELCOME PRAYER SONG SILENCE
Open please to Hebrew 2:5-10 and hold it with a placeholder if inclined. We have a big ol chunk of meat to consider today brought to us by Psalm 8. We will need to chew, but the end results are satisfying and nutritious. I expected to work through Psalms 8 through 15 initially until I was moved to focus more on item and so today we will only cover 8-11 primarily just reading the last three.
The Origin of Psalm 8
Psalm 8 part I January 12th 2025
Some suggest that Psalm 8 was written during what was called “the time of vintage” or when wine is produced then harvested, and this is what moved David to write it. Because of the wonder and beauty of this period of harvesting from the earth it’s bounty, it is believed that it caused David to compose this Psalm to redirect the moment of rejoicing to what YAHAVAH had done. I simply love this idea whether its correct or not. Another tie to vintage is because some also believe (somehow) that the Garden of Eden was formed at the same time of year as when the best grapes are harvested – so there is that hard as it is to really understand.
Ignoring this interpretation, the Chaldee of this Psalm (or Aramaic version) reads, “A Psalm of David to be sung upon the harp, which he brought out of Gath.” And so David writes,
Psalm 8:1 O YAHAVAH our ADONAI, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
Translated this is, O YAHAVAH, our Prop, our Stay, or Support or to most believers, “our JEHOVAH, our Lord.” The word Lord from the Hebrew is Ad-onai and is frequently used in scripture instead of YAHAVAH itself. When did this practice occur? After the Nation was exiled to captivity and when they came out from it a group called the Jews believed that the Name YAHAVAH was too sacred to be used. Seriously – look it up – and so they started to make the name sacred and soooo holy they employed replacements.
Of course, we know that this was the very Name YAHAVAH told Moses to make known, but after the captivity this was ignored and Adonai was used far more. There are subtle differences between the two names as YAHAVAH has super significant meaning and Adonai is a more direct way to say, “the Lord or governor who rules, judges, directs and supports.” Some believe that this particular term is a direct reference to Yeshua whom Paul repeatedly identifies as the Lord, and I am unsure if this was David’s intention or something that happened without his knowledge and was merely conveyed by the Spirit. This stance is heightened when David adds,
“How excellent is thy name in all the earth!”
So, where Christians often interpret the meaning to refer to Yeshua and suggest that proof of this is found in the way that name has spread across the world today, I happen to think David was referring to the name YAHAVAH.
The Glory of YAHAVAH
At this point David begins to compare the most glorious works of God as those seen in the heavens and he states that His glory is infinitely above even all that Man can see above him. The meaning seems to ultimately suggest that no power, no earthly or heavenly creation, no star or moon clustered into trillions above can or will ever surpass His glory which stands above all of it.
From this perspective we can readily see the paltry, even insipid, practices us humans make when we choose or even mistakenly lift or level ANYTHING up to Him by comparison. I mean, really, how insulting when a created being (Man) will whittle a piece of ivory or smelt a piece of tin, form a piece of music, art, entertainment, and then worship it or its maker in place of Him – or even in addition to worshipping Him with all of the heart, might, and mind.
Allow yourself some introspection, frequently, often, even daily – if possible – and ask, “what do I have in my life that might fall into this shameful category? What do or would I hold up ABOVE my heart and mind for Him?
(silence)
We know the standard culprits – money, sex, beauty, the arts, occupation, substances, past-times and wrangle with them a bit. But there are actually more sinister idols we bear about and may not even know it, like ego, pride, intelligence, obstinance, indifference and the opinions we hold opposite Him. As redundant as this is becoming in our study of the Old
Idolatry and the Triumph of Humility
Testament, the main point God appears to have with humanity is our desire and tendency toward idolatry – simple as that. It’s pretty difficult because we are surrounded with things that demand our attentions to even exist! Maybe we choose to invite Him to shine a light into our heart, with full access, and to show us, personally, what lingers around trying to assume His role in our lives as our first priority.
Okay, so the significance of Him being over all things is found in the victory of God’s only human Son having overcome all things, ascending into the highest heaven, even to the side of the very throne of God His Father, and having said before ascending, as it is written in Matthew 28:18,
Matthew 28:18 All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
And then, once everything was put under His feet by and through that very power, Paul says in 1st Corinthians 15:28
“And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.”
Strength Through Humility
Now, in our day, YAHAVAH reigns, as the all in all, in and completely through His Son who I personally believe is now sitting on the throne as YAHAVAH, the One True God, fully and completely representing them both. So here we go as David now writes and mentions/refers the approach through which God accomplished all of this and the type of power it took, which is so contrary to the way we humans accomplish things when he added in verse 2
2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
I love the imagery of that – the stilling of the enemy and the avenger. We might allow ourselves to think He exercises His strength and power through armies, and fear and trepidation, with muscle men and such ruling in the heavens and earth. We sometime allow ourselves to believe we can better represent him through the same. But what David describes here is (Ready? Its through Small. Meek. Humble. Sources.)
Understanding Meekness
Sure, when we look to creation, we might be inclined to think God rules and reigns mostly through fire, force, terror, and fearful expressions. And because we read about Him doing this at times we remember such but His ultimate means is through another opposite approach. And while the enemies of God on earth have been at war with Him through such power and might, through human intellect and the power of the flesh, this is not how He had the victory, is it? And it is NOT how we as believers have victory over self or this world either. It is here that we are confronted with a super important and unique word – meek.
Going back to Moses, a type for our victor, our Savior and God with us we read a parenthetical reference in Numbers 12:3
(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
The Greek word for meek is prah-oose and the best meaning of the word? (beat) Humble. The longer I live and am in His word, the longer I engage with those who seek Him and those who pretend to seek Him, the focal point and the difference between those who receive Him, follow Him, and embrace Him from the heart (and those who don’t) is they can collectively be categorized as meek with that best definition being humble.
In fact, I am of the opinion that before faith, and before real agape loveSelfless love marked by patience, mercy, and humility—central to living in spiritual liberty. is possible, humility and meekness of heart prepares the heart soil of every genuine believer which enables conversion and then permits the growth of faith and agape love. What produces this humility, this meekness? I suppose a number of factors that are received and accepted by those who possess it are involved – which we will not go into presently but the scripture “Old and Apostolic” speak profoundly about the attribute of meekness.
Psalm’s in particular will reference meekness often, including Psalm 22:26
The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise YAHAVAH who seeks him: your heart shall live for ever.
Psalm 25:9 says,
“The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.”
Psalm 37:11 was cited by Yeshua in the Mount as it says,
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight
The Power of Meekness
Themselves in the abundance of peace.
And Psalm 76:9 says
When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.
Psalm 147:6 adds The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
And Psalm 149:4 plainly states
For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with (???) salvation.
Isaiah also said in 29:19
The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
Gospel Proclamation to The Meek
And notice to whom the Gospel was prophesied to be preached in the famous Isaiah 61:1 verses our King read in the synagogue, saying
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Finally in the Old Testament, Zephaniah wrote in Zephie 2:3
“Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.
In His incarnation, we recall “God with us,” plainly saying,
Christ's Meek Humility
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
God with us was humble. The very creator of the heavens and earth was humble. He was consummately meek. In fact, I would suggest that God Himself is humble and meek – He has to be dealing with us, right?
Central to the notion of Christ’s meek humility was a heart-felt and total reliance on Him and Him alone as I would suggest that the humility that we embrace before Him will not allow us to seek or believe in anything else. In other words, humility is a key to overcoming idolatry. Jumping out to 1st Peter 3:4 we get some beautiful insights as he wrote
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (or value)
God’s Victory Through Childlike Meekness
In the face of human hubris which tends to energize and power the flesh and Darkness alike, David here in Psalm 8 reminds us that the Living God ordained (the better term is appointed) “babes and sucklings” to bring forth His strength into the world and did NOT use power of the flesh, human intellect, or money and wealth, to win.
Instead, both David and Christ validate that to be like children in heart, meek and humble, is where His power reigned and that out of the mouth of the innocent, the pure and humble, and from those without guile, would God have victory over His enemies above and below forevermore.
From the weak, from the unassuming, from those who are as little children in their hearts, minds and mouths is God and His ways found.
Let’s pray.
