Perspective has a powerful impact on the way we interpret life around us. If we look at life with a perspective that is critical, will it be any wonder if all we see are the negative and discouraging traits of the people we are with? But if we look at life with a perspective that focuses us on God’s work in the world, we are bound to see his image in others and are able to celebrate the good things God is doing. In this Psalm, David shares the power of perspective.
He states that the wonder of God’s creation is all around him. He sees the majesty of God in the things God has created. With this perspective, he then looks at his own life and wonders how a powerful, creative, majestic God could ever stoop to care for mere humans. Yet he affirms the truth that humans are the pinnacle of God’s creation, given special honor as well as special responsibility to care for all of creation. Through this perspective, David comes back to praise again the majesty of God writing, “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
We have the option to look at our world, as well as our individual lives, seeing only the negative, painful, broken, fallen world for which humans are responsible. Or we have the choice to look at the beauty of creation, see the wonder of new life that comes each spring, and celebrate the majesty of God’s artistic hand all around us. With this perspective, we can’t help but celebrate, and truly worship, the place God has given us in the world!
“Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”