Tag: Psalm 8

Psalm 8 – Man, the Crown of Creation (The Messianic Psalm)

1.0 The Statement

Psalm 8 is the First of the so-called “Nature Psalm” (also Psalms 19; Psalm 29; Psalm 65; Psalm 104). Psalm 8 primary idea is God’s Condescending Love and Goodness towards us.

That God, who had made the Heavens, and set His Glory on them, should regard us and “visit us.” Traditionally, Psalm 8 is ascribed to David. It contains an Individual Meditation, “O LORD;” and it also embraces the Community of God’s People, “Our LORD.”

The move from God’s Glory (Psalm 8:1-2) to the Glory of Humankind (Psalm 8:3-8). Psalm 8:9 repeats the refrain of Psalm 8:1.

There is also a development of thought from the Grandeur of God’s Throne in Heaven (Psalm 8:1) to the lowest Beasts of the Earth (Psalm 8:7). Man is the centre of God’s Creation. Psalm 8 is also one of the better-known Psalms and have been put to music.

Psalm 8 is also a Messianic Psalm, being quoted four times in the New Testament with reference to our Lord Jesus Christ. (Psalm 8:2 with Matthew 21:16; Psalm 8:4-6 with Hebrews 2:6-8; Psalm 8:6 with 1Corinthians 15:27 and Ephesians 1:22).

The Scope of Psalm 8 is very wide, looking back to Eden (Psalm 8:3) and forward to the Messiah {Christ’s} Glorious Reign (Psalm 8:4-6), from the First Adam to the Last Adam (Christ – 1Corinthians 15:45b).

Psalm 8 is also echoed in the New Testament, where it finds its fulfilment in Christ. The answer to the question “What is man? is ultimately answered by Jesus Christ, the “Second Man,” (1Corinthians 15:47), through whom we regain our Lost Dominion. Psalm 8 reaches the height of Majesty seldom realised by finite man.

The Title indicates that Psalm 8 is another of those Psalms which are committed to the Care of the Chief Musician, to form part of that special collection of Psalms.

Also, the Title “Gittith,” (Heb. ‘al-hagitít’) means “Winepress.” And it is an Autumnal Song chanted by the Vine-Dressers at the joyful Vintage Season.

It is important to note that all the three Psalms (Psalm8; Psalm 81; Psalm 84) distinguished by this Name “Gittith” are of the Joyful Thanksgiving Character (Psalm 8; Psalms 81 & Psalm 84). “Gittith” also designates a stringed instrument, which was shaped like a winepress. The Greek took the word and the instrument that it represented and called it “a kithara;” from that comes the Spanish “Guitarra” and from that the English “Guitar.” We are therefore in the Prophetic Succession when we hear a Guitar Accompaniment to these Psalms. They were designed to be Sung to the Music of the Guitar.

In this beautiful expression of Praise to God, David stands amazed that the God of Creation, the Great and Glorious LORD, would pay any attention to frail People on Earth. David understands that God Glorifies Himself in the Heavens, but how can He Glorify Himself on Earth through such weak, sinful People?  Believers glorified His {the LORD’s} Name on the Earth (Psalm 8:1, 9) and God helps to defeat the Enemies (Psalm 8:2).

That God, in His remarkable Condescension, should focus attention on us is proof of our dignity as Creatures made in the Image of God (Genesis 1:26). The Grandeur of men and women is found only here. Apart from knowing God, we have no understanding of who we are or what we are to do in this Great Universe.

1.1 God’s Majesty

Psalm 8:1“O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your Name in all the Earth, who has set Your Glory above the Heavens!

1.  Exultation – David begins and ends Psalm 8 with the same beautiful exultation (jubilation), the same Ascriptions of Praise and the same expression of Wonder at God’s Greatness and Glory – “O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your Name in all the Earth!” (Psalm 8:1a, 9). Psalm 8 is artistically set inside the refrain at the beginning and end. This refrain acts as a beautiful introduction and conclusion of the beautiful exultation. David addresses God by His Personal Name: “O LORD” (Jehovah). Addressing God by His Name actualises communion with Him – In the sense, David gets God’s Attention.  

The LORD’s Name is Exalted. God’s Greatness can neither be fully expressed nor expounded because there is a limitation to human language and understanding. David could only exclaim: “How Excellent!” (Psalm 8:1a, 9a). This description has been variously translated “Great, Illustrious, Glorious, Wonderful, Magnificent, Majestic, and Renowned.”  

2.  Worship – Psalm 8 also begins and ends with our worshipping spirit – Psalm 8:1 “O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your Name in all the Earth, who has set Your Glory above the Heavens!  In meditating and studying of this Psalm, the Reader should not be diverted from a worshipping attitude. Our meditation and study of this Psalm should increase our appreciation of God and His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

3.  Heaven & Earth – Psalm 8:1“O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your Name in all the Earth, who has set Your Glory above the Heavens!” – There is much coming and going between Heaven and Earth in Psalm 8. There is an Ascending and Descending which begins in the opening verse – Psalm 8:1 “O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your Name in all the Earth, who has set Your Glory above the Heavens!” The LORD’s Name is Excellent in the Earth and His Glory is set above the Heavens.” The LORD is acknowledged on Earth and His Glory is established above the Heavens. There are three “Heavens:”

  • The First Heaven is the Atmospheric Heaven (Genesis 1:6-8).
  • The Second Heaven is the Stellar Heaven or the Heaven of the Stars (Genesis 1:14-18).
  • The Third Heaven, God’s Dwelling Place (2Corinthians 12:2b), which in the Epistle of Hebrews is called “Heaven Itself” (Hebrews 9:24). The Third Heaven is also called “Paradise” (2Corinthians 12:4a), wherein is the “Tree of Life” and also God’s Throne (Revelation 2:7; Revelation 22:1-2).

But above the Heavens (Atmospheric, Stellar, Third) Supreme in His (God’s) Divine Majesty, The LORD sits in Excellency. His Name is known on Earth and His Glory is above the Heavens.

4.  Our Lord (Psalm 8:1) – The phrase “our Lord” (“our Adonai”) means “our Sovereign,” acknowledging Him as the Universal Sovereign Ruler and is the threefold Confession of Faith:

  • There is but one God, all People were Created by the Sovereign God.
  • The Jewish People are “His People and the Sheep of His Pastures” (Psalm 100:3). The Jewish people called Him “Our Lord” (Psalm 135:5; Psalm 147:5; Nehemiah 10:30).
  • Jehovah (“our LORD”) was not only the God of Israel, but of the Christians. Also, His Name (Character and Reputation) is to be known “in all the Earth” (Psalm 66:1; Psalm 83:18; Exodus 9:14; Joshua 3:11). It is from this Truth that the Assurance of Faith springs. I am in the care of Him whose hand controls all and whose will as Sovereign none can gainsay. 

God’s Glory dwelt in with Israel in the Tabernacle and Temple but is revealed in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:14). Wicked People crucified the “Lord of Glory” (1Corinthians 2:8), but He was raised from the dead and has returned to Heaven in Honour and Great Glory (Philippians 2:5-11). David expresses the Greatest of God’s Creation, as the Westminster Catechism states it, our Purpose is to “Glorify God and Enjoy Him forever.”

1.2     Perfected Praise

1.  Enemy Silenced – Psalm 8:2 “Out of the mouth of babes and suckling hast You ordained strength because of Your Enemies, that You might still (silence) the Enemy and the Avenger.” David moved from God’s Transcendence to His Immanence (abiding in). It is in the Wonder of the Ways of God that such inscrutable (enigmatic) and indescribable Glory should be acknowledged by “babes and suckling,” who give Praise of Jehovah (the LORD) to the silencing the scheming Enemies.

“Perfected Praise” (Matthew 21:16b) is the “Strength” (Psalm 8:2) that silenced the false accusations of our Enemies (Revelation12:10b; Psalm 8:2).

“Perfect” (katartizo) means “To fit thoroughly, adjust.” It is “the Perfect Praise” because it is brought forth by God Himself and heaped upon His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. The Church is to be the place where God’s Son is to be Praised. God uses the weak things of the World to confound the things that are Mighty (1Corinthians 1:27-29). The simple Praise of the child silenced an arrogant Opponent! The answer is found in two Facts:

  • First, when Children grasp and rejoice in the simple Truths of God, His Glory is truly seen. God’s Greatness, which is far above all the Heavens, could still be grasped and expressed by Children.

    Children often understand more rapidly and more thoroughly than do the intelligentsia. Also, Children are less susceptible to intimidation, as A.T. Robertson was fond of saying, right under the nose of Rabbi Smell-fungus they cried, “Hooray for Jesus!”
  • Secondly, God can baffle the Enemy (Satan) by His ability to convey Truth to Children, God has founded a bulwark – erected a wall – “Because of our Enemies, in order to silence the Enemy and the Avenger.” That expresses the idea that when God speaks through Children (and Childlike Persons), He often baffles the rational, the intelligent. Those who pride themselves upon their wisdom are frequently routed by the insight of Someone they consider quite insignificant.

2. Application to Jesus – Psalm 8:2 “Out of the mouth of babes and suckling has You ordained strength because of Your Enemies, that You might still (silence) the Enemy and the Avenger.” – Jesus quoted Psalm 8:2 after He cleansed the temple. The “babes and suckling” are Children who were old enough to be able to Praise God – Matthew 21:14-16 “And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. And when the Chief Priests and Scribes saw the wonderful things that He (Jesus) did, and the Children shouting in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David! They were very displeased. And said unto Him, hear You what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have you never read, out of the mouth of babes and suckling You has Perfected Praise?”

The Children Praising Jesus were ordinary Children that happened to be there at the time Jesus healed the blind and the lame. But when the Children saw these wonderful happenings, they began to cry out, “Praise be to the Son of David! Hosanna to the Son of David!”

The Scribes and Chief Priests were indignant and thought Jesus ought to silence these Children. Instead, Jesus said, “They are the ones who have caught the truth, they are the one who see.” They understand that here is being manifested God’s Healing Power.

This was in confirmation of the Prophecy of David in Psalm 8 that God’s Demonstrative Power can be conveyed to Children much more easily than it can to adults.

Jesus also prayed: “I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You has hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes (children)” – Matthew 11:25.

3.  Enemy & Avenger – Psalm 8:2 “Out of the mouth of babes and suckling has You ordained strength because of Your Enemies, that You might still (silence) the Enemy and the Avenger.” The Enemy and Avenger and those who are at Enmity with God and His People. The Enemy is Satan himself and Enemies are his Representatives. The term “Avenger” (Naquam – “Self-avenger, c/f Psalm 44:16) is a strong word. Perowne says: “It denotes one who thirsts for or breathes revenge.” This is characteristic of the Satan himself. The LORD uses the Praise of the Children to silence him (Satan). Things that little Children have said have often been used to the confounding of the Satan and his Hosts. 

4. Babes & Suckling – Psalm 8:2 “Out of the mouth of babes and suckling has You ordained strength because of Your Enemies, that You might still (silence) the Enemy and the Avenger.” Hebrew mothers nursed their Children much longer than is the custom in Western culture. Hannah did not wean the young Samuel until he was old enough to be left in the temple with Eli and to worship the LORD there (1Samuel 1:22-28). Hebrew mothers often nursed their babies for four or five years.

5.  Historical Examples – The “Book of Martyrs” records that when Lawrence was burnt in Colchester, he was carried to the fire in a chair, because, through the cruelty of the Papists, he could not stand upright, several young children came about the fire and cried, as well as they could speak, “Lord, strengthen Your Servant and keep Your Promise.” God answered their Prayer, for Lawrence died a firmly and calmly as anyone could wish to breaths his last.

When one of the Popish Chaplains told Wishart, the great Scotch Martyr, that he had a devil in him, a child stood by cried out, “A devil cannot speak such words as yonder man speaketh.” 

Whitefield, in the Postscript to one of his letters, in which he details his persecution when first preaching in Moorfields, he says, “I cannot held adding that several little boys and girls who were fond of sitting round me on the pulpit while I preached, and handed me people’s notes – though they were often pelted with eggs, dirt, etc, thrown at me – never once gave way; but on the contrary, every time I was struck, turned up their little weeping eyes, and seemed to wish they could receive the blows for me. God makes them in their growing years, great and living Martyrs for Him, who, ‘out of the mouths of babies and suckling, perfects praise!”

1.3  God’s Creation

Psalm 8:3 “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon, and the stars, which You has ordained.” –  David, while he was a Shepherd of Bethlehem, contemplated God’s Infinite Vastness and Splendour of Heavenly Creation, as shown in Psalm 8:3.

The Heavenly Bodies of the Sun, Moon and Stars keep their appointed place in the Heaven. God spoke the Worlds into Existence (Genesis 1:1-24), but David saw Creation as the Work of The LORD’s Fingers (Psalm 8:3) and Hands (Psalm 8:6a) – The Work of the Master Craftsman. God had embroidered the Skies with the Heavenly Beauty and had ordained and established the Vast Solar System for His Own Glory. Carlyle calls it “The silent palace of the Eternal.” No wonder the Name of The LORD is “Excellent….in all the Earth.” (Psalm 8:1). No wonder His Glory is “Above the Heavens.” (Psalm 8:1)

Today, we can marvel at the Heavens with more information than was available to David in his time. For example, we know that in one second a beam of light travels 186,000 miles, which is about seven times around the earth. It takes eight minutes for that beam to go from the sun to the earth. In a year the same beam travels almost six trillion miles. Scientists call this a “light-year.” Eight billion light-years from earth are halfway to the edge of the known Universe. Within the Universe there are a hundred billion Galaxies, each with a hundred billion Stars, on the average. In all the Galaxies, there are perhaps as many Planets as Stars, ten billion trillion. These statistics take us beyond human comprehension. No wonder David asks, “What is man…?”

Jews were not allowed to worship the Heavenly Host (Exodus 20:4-6; Deuteronomy 4:15-19; Deuteronomy 17:2-7), but they understood that Creation was proof of the Caring Creator who prepared the world for the enjoyment and employment of Mankind.

1.4     Man, God’s Creature

Psalm 8:4 “What is man, that You are mindful (remember) of him? And the son of man, that You visit him?” – The Splendour of God’s Creation is humbling to man – “What is man?” Our present knowledge of the Vastness of the Universe makes us look even more insignificant that appeared in David’s day. Furthermore, our knowledge of the Light Years and the reach of Outer Space gives us even more appreciation of God’s Assurance to us. In His Great Love, God chooses the Earth for Himself – Psalm 24:1 “The Earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof; the World, and they who dwell therein,” and created us in His Own Image (Genesis 1:26-27). Such knowledge is too wonderful for us!     

“Man” (Enosh & Ben-Adam) – Our English word “man,” occurs twice in Psalm 8:4, is, in fact, the translation of two different Hebrew words:

  • “Man” (Enosh) meaning man in his frailty – “Weak man.” When frail man is compared with all of the Expanse of the Universe, how insignificant “man” seems – “When I consider Your Heavens…..What is Man?”
  • “Man” (Ben-Adam) which, although linking Man with the clay and the ground, is nevertheless, man in his dignity as God’s Vicegerent (Holder of delegated Authority) in the Creation (Genesis 1:26-28).    

The dignity of Man – God is “mindful” of us (“man”), in His Thoughts and Purpose. The destiny of Man – God visits man in the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Man, whether in his frailty or in his dignity, how insignificant is the Creature (Man), that The LORD should condescend to visit Us (Man), as indeed He did in Eden (Genesis 3:8). And the subsequent Visitation of Grace, when our Lord Jesus Christ, dwelled among men for 33½ Years. God is always mindful of us and cares for us – “Visit” (Job 10:12). “Visit” means “To attend to, to observe.” The Author of Book of Hebrews quotes Psalm 8:4 and applies it to the Lord Jesus Christ.

1.5     Threefold Facts of Man

Psalm 8:5-8 “For You has made him a little lower than the Angels and has crowned him with glory and honour. You make him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You has put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field. The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passed through the paths of the seas.” The Essential Purpose of Creation of “Man” (Adam) as revealed, discloses three things designate Man’s Position:

1.  Little Lower than God – Psalm 8:5a “For Thou hast made him a little lower than the Angels (Elohim means God).” – Science believes Man was made as a little higher than animals, which is a blatant lie of Satan. God’s Word reveals that Man was made “a little” lower than the God,” because the word translated “Angels” is Elohim, which is the Title of God used in Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning Elohim Created the Heaven and the Earth.” The phrase “A little lower than the Angels,” would be better translated “Little lower than Divine.” The word “little” mean little in degree, a coming short just a little, or, it may have to do with time, indicating “for a little while.”

Psalm 8:5 is the only place in the Old Testament where Elohim is translated “Angels,” but in Hebrews 2:7, where Psalm 8:5a is quoted, the word “Angels” was used by those who translated the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek, in what is known as the Septuagint Version. However, the correct rendering should be God instead of “Angels.” Man was made in “the Image and Likeness of God” (Genesis 1:26) – Little Lower than God, we are made to represent Him in this World, reflecting His (God’s) Character, and living in the Relationship with Him (God).

2.   Crown of God’s Creation – Psalm 8:5b “And has crowned him (Man) with Glory and Honour.” – Now although Man may indeed be frail Creature of the dust (Genesis 2:7) but with dignity, yet The LORD has given him (man) a certain Greatness in His Creation – “Crowned him with Glory and Honour” (Psalm 8:5b) – because man was made in the “Image and Likeness” of God (Genesis 1:26-27). This marks out Man (Adam) as Superior to all other Creatures and Creation – “And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And the evening and morning were the sixth day” (Genesis 1:31). There is a point of view from which the Nature of Man (Adam) transcends that of Angels, since:

  • Man (Adam) is a direct transcript of the Divine (Genesis 1:27).
  • Man (Adam) was the nature which the Son of God assumed (Hebrews 2:16) – Jesus the Last Adam and the Second Man (1Corinthians 15:45, 47).

The questions of Psalm 8:4 is cited in Hebrews 2:6-8, describing the humiliation and the exaltation of Christ – “But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the Angels, crowned with Glory and Honour because of the suffering of death” (Hebrews 2:9). Jesus, because of the suffering of death God has crowned Him (Jesus) with Glory and Honour that He had intended for Man (Adam) at the beginning, of his (Adam’s) Creation. In seeing Jesus, we see that God fulfils His original Creation, in Jesus, the Last Adam and the Second Man (1Corinthians 15:45, 47).

3.  Co-Regents of Creation – Psalm 8:6 “You make him (Man) to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You has put all things under his feet.” – Man (Adam) in his Creation was given Dominion (Rulership) over God’s Creation (Genesis 1:26-28). Man (Adam) was given the Authority to Name the Animals (Genesis 2:19) and given dominion over the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea (Genesis 1:26-28). Psalm 8:7-8 “All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field. The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passed through the paths of the seas” are illustrations of man’s dominion. These lesser forms of life illustrate “All things” of Psalm 8:6b “You has put all things under his feet.” – The Creatures of Earth, Air, and Sea are included in this reference to the Creation of Genesis 1. Man’s (Adam’s) Dominion extended over four Spheres:

  • Domestic Animals – Sheep and Oxen.
  • The Beasts of the Field.
  • The Birds of the Air.
  • The Fish of the Sea.

Man’s Greatness is thus being made little less than God (Elohim) and being placed in this world to exercise His (God’s) Sovereignty over God’s Creation. Both in Nature and Vocation, we are given Divine Glory. How do we then respond? We only know our Greatness in relationship to God.

This knowledge comes not only through the “General Revelation” in Creation itself, but also through “Special Revelation” – The God who makes Himself known makes us know ourselves in Him.

Calvin, in his Institutes, asserts that there is no proper knowledge of humankind apart from the Knowledge of God. When God reveals Himself, He reveals us at the same time. Thus, the God who reveals His Excellent Name, His Glory above the Heavens, and the Vastness of Creation, also reveals that we are made little lower than He (God – Elohim) and given Dominion over God’s Creation (Genesis 1:26-28). 

4.  Our Lord Jesus Christ – Psalm 8:5a “For You has made him a little lower than the Angels (Elohim means God).” – Man (Adam) was created in the “Image and Likeness” of God (Genesis 1:26) and, in his innocence, was given the Rulership and Dominion in the Creation a little lower than the Creator (God – Elohim) Himself (Genesis 1:27-28). Psalm 8 is Prophetic, as Hebrews Chapter 2 reveals, and it therefore points forward to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Second Man, the Last Adam (1Corinthians15:45,47).

In Hebrews chapter 1 we have the Sevenfold Statement of the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, backed by Seven Quotations from the Old Testament, mostly from the Messianic Psalms. In Hebrews chapter 2 we see the Sevenfold Glory of the Son of Man, our Lord Jesus Christ, backed by four Messianic Prophecies, the Principal one being Psalm 8. The “World to come” (Psalm 8:5) is a technical expression in Hebrews for the Millennium. It has not been made subject to Angels.

Dominion of God’s Creation has been committed to Adam (Genesis 1:26-28). In the Book of Hebrews, after quoting Psalm 8:4-8 the Writer says: “We do not see everything in subjection to Him,” and then immediately adds: “But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than Angels, Crowned with Glory and Honour.” Hebrews outlines four great epoch-making Events, fulfilling the Prophecy of Psalm 8. Two of these are Historic and two are Prophetic:

  • “Made for a little time lower than the Angels,” with the view of Christ’s Incarnation (Luke 1:26-35), of His Death, Burial and Resurrection (1Corinthians 15:1-4).
  • “Crowned with Glory and Honour.” Glorification, one thousand years – The Millennial Reign of Christ (Revelation 20).
  • “Set over the works of Your hands.” Coronation, one thousand years.
  • “All things under His feet.” Consummation, the Eternal state.

The First Adam forfeited his Dominion because of Sin (Genesis 3), but God’s Plan was never frustrated because it was restored in the Last Adam, our Lord Jesus Christ – “You has given Him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You has put all things under His feet” (Psalm 8:6). The Power and Authority of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Son of Man) over Creation was demonstrated during His Earthly Life:

  • Christ’s Dominion over the Forces of Nature (Mark 4:39-41; John 2:3-11; 6:5-14).
  • Christ’s Dominion over the wild beasts in the Wilderness (Mark 1:13).
  • Christ’s Dominion over the domesticated animals (Luke 19:30).
  • Christ’s Dominion over the fish of the sea (Matthew 17:27).
  • Christ’s Dominion over the fowl of the air (Luke 3:22).

All things are “under His feet” (1Corinthians 15:27; Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 2:8) – This means “completely subjected to Him.” This will also be reflected in the ultimate fulfilment in the Millennial Splendour, He (Christ) will have Dominion from, “Sea to Sea and will rule from the River to the ends of the Earth” (Psalm 72:8).

The Final Answer to the question “What is Man….?” is given in Christ, the Head of the Redeemed Humanity. In that day the whole earth will be filled with His Glory and the Prayers of David, the son of Jesse will be ended (Psalm 72:20) – When Messiah (Christ) sits in Glory and Reigns over the Earth, David has nothing more to pray for.

First Corinthians – Psalm 8:6 is referred by Paul in 1Corinthians 15:27 “For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He said all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is expected who did put all things under Him.” In the passage of 1Corinthians 15:24-29, we see the ultimate triumph of the Resurrected and Glorified Christ, who is declared to be the Second Man and the Last Adam. “The End” is described in Four Stages:

  • First, when He (Jesus) shall have put down all Rule and all Authority and all Power (1Corinthains 15:24).  
  • Second, for He (Jesus) must Reign; till He has put all Enemies under His Feet; the Last Enemy that shall be destroyed is Death (1Corinthians 15:25-26).
  • Third, then the Son also Himself shall be subject unto Him (Father) that put all things under Him (Christ – 1Corinthians 15:29a).
  • Fourth, that God (Father) may be All in All (1Corinthians 15:29b).

Ephesians 1:20-22 – Christ, the Ascended Head of the Church, Resurrected and Enthroned, with all things under His feet, is given Headship of the Church, which is His Body and Fullness.

The Son of Man – This Title is first used in Psalm 8:4 and quoted in Hebrews 2:6, denotes Lordship over the Earth, the Position from which First Adam Fell, Dominion over the Earth, Sea, and Air. The first reference in the New Testament is used in Matthew 8:20. The Title “Son of Man” is used eighty-four times in the Gospels, always by the Lord Jesus Himself.

It was His (Jesus’) claim to the Universe (Revelation 19:16). It is vitally linked to His (Jesus’) Temptation in the Wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), where the Scene in Eden is re-enacted, but where the First Adam failed, He (Jesus) gloriously overcame the Temptation.

As “Son of Man,” Authority to execute judgement has been committed unto Him (John 5:27). Except in Acts 7:56, at the death of Stephen, and in Hebrews 2:6, the Title is not used again until Revelation 1:13. Its omission from the Epistles is significant. It is the usual Title in the apocalyptic judgements in Revelation.

The last reference shows Him (Jesus) Coming with many Diadems on His Head, and the Sickle and the Sword in His hand, to take Dominion (Revelation 14:14). Whenever His (Jesus) Coming to Reign is mentioned, it is the Coming of the “Son of Man” – Daniel 7:13 “One like unto the Son of Man coming in the Clouds of Heaven.” He (Christ) is given Dominion, Glory, and the Kingdom. Ezekiel uses it ninety-three times of frail, short-lived man in contrast to the Eternal “Son of Man,” our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, the Title “the Son of Man” is used in Scriptures in four senses:

  • First, the ideal, representative archetypical, pattern Man, the Person who conquered where Adam failed (Psalm 8; Hebrews 2).
  • Second, the Messiah (Daniel 7:13; Revelation 14:14).
  • Third, His Perfect Humanity – our Lord Jesus’ favourite title.
  • Fourth, the Coming King and Judge who assumes World Dominion in the Millennium (Revelation 2O:1-9).

All Things Under His Feet – This expression occurs three times in the New Testament, and is applied to our Lord Jesus Christ:

  • Hebrews 2:5-15 to His Crowning with Glory and Honour.
  • Ephesians 1:22 to Christ and His Church.
  • 1Corinthians 15:25-27 to His Coming in Glory.

The Dignity and Dominion conferred on Man (Adam) at his Creation and Crowning, could only be entrusted and exercised by the Man (God-Man = Jesus) Perfect in Character, Wisdom, and Power. Now in Him (Christ), who is “the Son of Man,” we have found the Meeting Place of the Divinely Perfect and the Perfectly Divine (“Studies in the Psalms,” by William Heron, in The Believer’s Magazine, pg.71, 1961).

5.  Our Position – Through the Finished Work of our Lord Jesus Christ, Christians may “Reign in Life” through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17). God has made us “Kings and Priests” (Revelation: 1:6; Revelation 5:10; 1Peter 2:5, 9). By faith, “We see Jesus, Crowned with Glory and Honour” (Hebrews 2:8-9) and that one day we will “Reign with Him” (Revelation 20:1-6).  

1.6     Worship

Psalm 8:9 “O LORD, our Lord, how Excellent is Your Name in all the Earth.” – Understanding the restored Dominion in Christ and the Coming ultimate Fulfilment of the Millennial Reign and Splendour of Him, Believers break forth into Worship – “O LORD, our Lord, how Excellent is Your Name in all the Earth.” In Christ who bears the Divine Name: “Jehovah” (Yahweh) equals “LORD.”  As Paul wrote to the Philippians, “At the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those in Heaven, and of those on Earth, and of those under the Earth, and….every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). This refrain of “O LORD, our Lord, how Excellent is Your Name in al the Earth” calls Man back to God’s Majesty lest he (Man) becomes absorbed in thoughts of Personal Grandeur. Man has Dignity, but God alone is Majestic.