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Christmas Season · Holy Name of Jesus · Year B

Psalm 8

How Majestic Is Your Name

January 1, 2027

Starry Night Over the Rhône, Vincent van Gogh
Starry Night Over the Rhône, Vincent van Gogh, 1888Musée d'Orsay, Paris
Van Gogh painted this on the riverbank at Arles at night, with candles on his hat brim, the gas lamps of the town answering the stars in the water.When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have set in place: the psalm's question is asked looking up from exactly here.Vincent van GoghVan Gogh (1853-1890) trained first for the ministry and preached in a Belgian mining district before taking up painting, which he did seriously for only the last decade of his life.Musée d'Orsay, ParisA railway station of 1900 converted into the museum of French art from 1848 to 1914, which is why its Impressionists stand under a train shed.Musée d'Orsay, Paris
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:15-21Lk 2:15-21
EpistleGal. 4:4-7Gal 4:4-7 orPhil. 2:5-11Phil 2:5-11
Old TestamentNum. 6:22-27Nm 6:22-27
PsalterPs. 8Ps 8

Overview & Insights

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:1)

God wrote his character into the world of nature, but as awesome as that is, it is no match for the mindful care of his human creation.

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Take it further: Psalm 8

Commentary

Psalm 8Ps 8 Working Preacher

A commentary on Psalm 8, holding together God's majesty and the dignity given to mortals.

Psalm 8Ps 8 Enduring Word · David Guzik

An evangelical commentary on Psalm 8 and its New Testament echoes in Hebrews and the Gospels.

Classic commentaries on Psalm 8Classic commentaries on Ps 8 BibleHub

Parallel translations and classic public-domain commentaries gathered for Psalm 8.

Background & Word Study

Psalm 8 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentaryPs 8 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentary Sefaria

The Hebrew text of Psalm 8 with Jewish commentary for study of the original poetry and its imagery.

The Church Fathers

Psalm 8, patristic commentaryPs 8, patristic commentary Catena

An early church reading of Psalm 8, frequently applied to Christ and to humanity's calling under God.

Questions preachers ask

What does Psalm 8 celebrate?

Gazing at the moon and stars, the psalmist marvels that God is mindful of frail humanity, whom he has crowned with glory and given care over the works of his hands.

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