INTRODUCTION: This psalm closes as it begins with the declaration: “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” This statement sets the theme for the entire psalm. God establishes His excellence by His working with and blessings to mankind. Much of this psalm looks back to creation and to man’s original place there.

1. BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS (Psalm 8:1O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
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1. He Is the Lord – “O LORD.”
1. He is the God of absolute power.
2. He is the God to whom we pray.
2. He Is Our Lord – “our Lord.”
1. He is the God of personal interest.
2. He is the God we claim as our own (Psalm 63:1O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
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3. The Name of the Lord – “how excellent is thy name”
1. His name is His reputation, and character (Proverbs 22:1A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
   See All...; Ecclesiastes 7:1A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
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2. His name is excellent: great, honourable (Psalm 148:13Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
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3. His name fills the earth (1 Kings 8:60That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.
   See All...; Psalm 48:10According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
   See All...; Psalm 72:19And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
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4. The Glory of the Lord – “thy glory”
1. His glory is His majesty and splendor.
2. Glory refers to:
1. Size: He is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-10 [7] Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? [8] If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. [9] If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; [10] Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
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2. Rarity: There is none other: “I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me” (Isaiah 45:5I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
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3. Beauty: Declared by the heavens (Psalm 19:1The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
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3. The earth cannot contain His glory; it is above the heavens (Psalm 57:11Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.
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2. BECAUSE HE USES MAN (Psalm 8:2Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
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1. The Instruments of His Work
1. The weakest beings
1. Babes and sucklings
2. God makes a practice of using the weakest to do the greatest so that His glory may not be stolen (1 Corinthians 1:26-29 [26] For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: [27] But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; [28] And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: [29] That no flesh should glory in his presence.
   See All...; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 [9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
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2. The most wicked instrument: the mouth
1. God uses that part of man most prone to disobedience (James 3:2-8 [2] For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. [3] Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. [4] Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. [5] Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! [6] And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. [7] For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: [8] But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
   See All...) as the instrument of His work on earth (Romans 10:14-15 [14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? [15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
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2. God does His greatest work with the word—not with the sword (Psalm 33:6By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
   See All...; Hebrews 1:3Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
   See All...; Romans 10:8-10 [8] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; [9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
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3. God has ordained strength; that is, He has established that the words of the weak will be used with great power (1 Corinthians 2:3-4 [3] And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. [4] And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
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4. Jesus quoted this passage as “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise” (Matthew 21:16And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
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2. The Reason for This Method – “because of thine enemies”
1. God uses the weak to bring glory to Himself.
2. God uses the weak to still the enemy.
1. To still is to make quiet and motionless; to remove from activity.
2. This points to the Devil (Psalm 44:16For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.
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1. He is the enemy (Matthew 13:39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
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2. He is the avenger; that is, he seeks revenge against God because of his loss of position and glory. His vengeance is practiced on man (Genesis 3:1-5 [1] Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? [2] And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: [3] But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. [4] And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: [5] For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
   See All...; Job 1:9-11 [9] Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? [10] Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. [11] But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
   See All...; Revelation 12:10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
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3. BECAUSE HE CARES FOR MAN (Psalm 8:3-4 [3] When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; [4] What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
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1. Despite the Greatness of God (Psalm 8:3When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
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1. His greatness should be considered.
2. His work is delicate—as done with fingers (compare to a watchmaker).
3. His work shines in the night.
1. The moon (Psalm 89:37It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
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2. The stars
4. His work is ordained; that is established (Proverbs 3:19The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
   See All...; Jeremiah 10:12He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
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2. Despite the Weakness of Man (Psalm 8:4What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
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1. What is man?
1. The Bible asks the question six times (Job 7:17What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?
   See All...; Job 15:14What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
   See All...; Psalm 8:4What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
   See All...; Psalm 144:3LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
   See All...; Ecclesiastes 6:11Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?
   See All...; Hebrews 2:6But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?
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2. This question points to his weakness, uncleanness, unworthiness, etc.
2. The psalmist is amazed.
1. That God is mindful of worthless man (Psalm 115:12The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
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2. That God would visit man (Exodus 4:31And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.
   See All...; Psalm 106:4Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;
   See All...; Luke 1:68Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
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3. The “son of man” points to Jesus Christ.
1. This phrase can refer simply to those born of men (Psalm 146:3Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
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2. However, it is also a title of Christ (Proverbs 30:4Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?
   See All...; Matthew 8:20And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
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4. BECAUSE HE GIVES MAN GLORY (Psalm 8:5For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
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1. Made a Little Lower than the Angels
1. The angels are God’s special ministers (Psalm 103:20Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
   See All...; Hebrews 1:14Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
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2. Yet man was created to be only slightly below them.
2. Crowned with Glory and Honour (Genesis 1:26-27 [26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. [27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
   See All...; Psalm 139:14I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
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1. Crowned by God
2. Crowned with glory (Isaiah 43:7Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
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5. BECAUSE HE GIVES MAN DOMINION (Psalm 8:6-8 [6] Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: [7] All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; [8] The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
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1. Dominion Is Stewardship (Psalm 8:6Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
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1. Creation is the work of God’s hands.
2. Man has dominion only by the choice of God.
3. Therefore, man is responsible to God as a steward (Luke 16:2And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
   See All...; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 [1] Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. [2] Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
   See All...; Titus 1:7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
   See All...; 1 Peter 4:10As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
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2. Dominion Is Rulership (Psalm 8:6-8 [6] Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: [7] All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; [8] The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
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1. All things under his feet (Psalm 8:6Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
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   See All...; Ephesians 1:22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
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2. Over all the creatures (Psalm 8:7-8 [7] All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; [8] The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
   See All...; Genesis 1:26-28 [26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. [27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. [28] And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
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6. BECAUSE HE SENT HIS SON (Psalm 8:4-6 [4] What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? [5] For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. [6] Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
   See All...; quoted in Hebrews 2:6-9 [6] But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him? [7] Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: [8] Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. [9] But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
   See All... where the connection of Christ is unmistakable)
1. Made a Little Lower than the Angels
1. Incarnation (Hebrews 2:7Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
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2. Crucifixion (Hebrews 2:9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
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2. Glorification
1. All things put under His feet (Hebrews 2:8Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
   See All...; Ephesians 1:22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
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2. Crowned with glory and honour (Hebrews 2:9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
   See All...; Acts 2:31-33 [31] He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. [32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. [33] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
   See All...; Philippians 2:9-11 [9] Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil! [10] Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul. [11] For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.
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CONCLUSION: Truly, God’s name is excellent in all the earth. How we should praise Him with our lips and honour Him with our obedience!