Sermon Bible Commentary
Psalms 8:6
This Psalm is stamped with a worldwide breadth; it is of no nation; it is of all time; it shines with a light transcending that of mere human genius. We are brought face to face with these three: nature, man, God.
I. Look, first, at the text in the light of Old Testament Scripture. It is quite plain that here is no description drawn from nature. All things are not put under man. He does not reign over nature; he wrestles with nature; step by step he gains upon nature, and subdues it to his purposes; but he has still to keep continual watch and ward lest nature should rebel against him and destroy him. The context clearly shows that the Psalmist is looking back to the primitive glory, the primeval character, of man, as it is written upon the very first page of this book. In the light of the Bible man can tell whence he cometh and whither he goeth. Sorrowful and confused as his earthly life is and has been all these thousands of years, still in the light that shines from Scripture it shows like a stormy day that had a splendid rise and that shall yet have a glorious sunset.
II. When we look at these words in the light of New Testament Scripture, a new glory suddenly breaks forth from them. "Now we see not yet all things put under him; but we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour," etc. The highest fulfilment of these words can be found nowhere short of Him who loved to call Himself the "Son of man." "Thou hast put all things under His feet." (1) This is what only God has either the right or the power to do. It is not merely supreme power that is here spoken of; it is supreme authority, as when our Lord said to His disciples, "All power is given to Me." In the days of His flesh He constantly exercised four kinds of authority: the authority to forgive sin, the authority to declare truth, the authority to rule nature, and the authority over human hearts and consciences. The claim of universal and absolute obedience and these four are in close, inseparable moral unity. (2) "All things" small things as well as great. The hairs of your head are all numbered; your name is not unknown to Him. The chief lesson in these words is for every Christian a lesson of restful calm, peaceful, untroubled faith, but faith surely tempered with reverence. All things are naked and open to Him with Whom we have to do.
E. R. Conder, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xix., p. 161.
References: Psalms 8 C. Kingsley, Sermons for the Times,p. 148; A. Maclaren, Life of David,p. 28; F. D. Maurice, Sermons in Country Churches,p. 148; I. Williams, The Psalms Interpreted of Christ,p. 178; P. Thomson, Expositor,2nd series, vol. i., p. 173.Psalms 9:1. Spurgeon, Morning by Morning,p. 304.Psalms 9:4. J. P. Chown, Contemporary Pulpit,vol. ii., p. 63; Sermons for Boys and Girls,p. 112.Psalms 9:6. Bishop Magee, The Gospel and the Age,p. 31.Psalms 9:10. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. vi., No. 287. Psalms 9:16. Congregationalist,vol. vi., p. 536. Psalms 9:17. Spurgeon, Sermons,No. 344; Preacher's Monthly,vol. iv., p. 250; F. E. Paget, Sermons on the Duties of Daily Life,p. 23; J. H. Evans, Thursday Penny Pulpit,vol. v., p. 169; G. Bainton, Christian World Pulpit,vol. x., p. 221.Psalms 9:18. Spurgeon, My Sermon Notes: Genesis to Proverbs,p. 144.Psalms 9 I. Williams, The Psalms Interpreted of Christ,p. 189. Psalms 10:4. Preacher's Monthly,vol. iv.,p. 57. Psalms 10:5. C. Kingsley, Sermons on National Subjects,p. 174.Psalms 10:16. Spurgeon, Evening by Evening,p. 118. Psalms 10:17. Ibid., Sermons,vol. xxx., No. 1802.