The Majesty of God
Jeremy Bell
Psalm 8:1-9
May 12, 2019
Sermon Audio
I. His Name Is Majestic (verses 1, 9)
- The first instance of “LORD”, with all caps, is a translation of the name Yahweh.
- Yahweh is the personal name of God, based on His statement in Exodus 3:14, when God says to Moses – “I AM WHO I AM”
- God is named Yahweh, which means “the absolutely existing one.”
- There are at least 10 things the name Yahweh, “I AM,” says about God (See this article by John Piper).
- “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Notice the breadth of His majesty. It covers all the earth. There’s no corner, no pocket where His majesty is absent or where His greatness is not seen.
- “I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God (Isaiah 45:5).” Its no wonder that when the prophet Isaiah encountered God, recorded for us in Isaiah 6, after proclaiming his own sinfulness and unworthiness in the presence of the perfectly pure and mighty God, he immediately says, “My eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts (Isaiah 6:5).”
- Isaiah saw God, in His majestic beauty and breathtaking holiness, and was undone. And He worshiped God.
- Likewise, God is worthy of our worship and our praise
II. His Works are Majestic (verses 1-3)
- Creation reveals God’s majesty. God set the “the heavens”, “the moon and the stars” in place. This was not hard for God.
- This reminds us that God, in His majestic power, was also Creator. Since He is Creator, that places a claim on the lives of those who have been created.
III. His Character Is Majestic (verses 3-4)
- When we have an accurate understanding of the character of our holy, all powerful, all knowing, nothing-can-thwart-His-promises God, it is utterly astounding that He would relate to us, and intimately know us.
- God is mindful of you. God cares for you.
- It is easy to overlook the majesty of God and not live in awe of Him.
- “There is a war going on between the awe of God and all of the awe-inspiring things that are around you that God created. Awe of God will capture you…or you will be captured by some kind of created awe. Remember, any glorious thing in creation was given that glory by God so it would function as a finger pointing you to the One glory that should rule your heart – Him (Paul Tripp).”
Application
- Meditate – Actually meditate on the goodness of the Lord.
- Read His Word slowly, meditatively – even if its just one or two verses.
- Journal – take time to write down what He has done.
- Allow the heart behind the word of God to become clear.
- Rehearse the gospel to yourself.
- Pray and ask the Lord to refresh you, and restore to you the joy of your salvation.
Questions For Discussion/Application:
- Re-read the text, Psalm 8. What initial observations and insights do you have from reading this text?
- When the Bible speaks of God’s “majesty” what is it referring to?
- Briefly read the 10 things John Piper lists out that “Yahweh” means (article here). As that list was read, what one or two points stood out to you the most?
- How does creation reveal the majesty of God?
- Re-read verses 3 and 4. How is God’s care is expressed towards all people in general? In what ways is God’s care expressed for His people in particular?
- Re-read the Paul Tripp quote under point 3. What do you think Tripp means when he says, “Awe of God will capture you…or you will be captured by some kind of created awe”?
- What are some examples of “created awe”? In what ways do these things capture our hearts?
- What steps can we take practically to grow in our awe of God?