The Psalmist did not have the advantage of the Hubble Telescope to be struck by the vastness of the universe, but it wasn’t needed. No exquisite anatomical or psychological road map was available to ponder the wonder of human life. That wasn’t necessary, either. Through the Spirit-inspired intellect, the Psalmist grasped the majesty of God revealed in creation and the mystery of humanity. God’s sovereignty and human responsibility are golden threads woven into the fabric of this psalm.

One who gazes at the magnificence of the Grand Tetons, or listens to the crash of ocean waves against shore rocks, or considers the lilies of the field, or peers from the campsite into the pearls of the night sky can relate to the Psalmist’s awe of our Creator God. What amazing confidence God shows in humankind to grant us the responsibility and capacity to care for creation!  At the same time, to know that God loved us humans so much he gave his only Son for us crowns our humanity with unmerited glory and fills our hearts with praise.