Build Your Own Psalm/Prayer
Psalm 8
Psalm 8 is one of the most well known and beautiful examples of poetry in our psalter.
The psalmist made basic observations about the world around him but was able to see those observations in light of God's identity and creative power.
For millennia, people of faith have proclaimed the majesty of our God with these words, which remain just as relevant and meaningful today as they did ages ago.
Psalm 8 still makes a beautiful prayer in and of itself, but practicing looking at the world in light of God's identity and creative power is a valuable exercise for us all.
Build Your Own Version of Psalm 8
Consider constructing your own version of Psalm 8. The process is similar to a Mad-Lib.
Below, you will see question prompts for you to meditate on and see what answers come to mind. Answer each question and then insert your answers into a new version of Psalm 8 at the bottom.
Then take time to pray both versions – the one that reflects the original psalmist's observations of the world and the one that reflects your own observations.
Answer the following questions
(A) Where do you see God's glory?
(B) What do you see as an enemy in your life right now?
(C, D, E) What do you see in God's creation that gives you a sense of awe and smallness? Can you identify three things?
(F) What do you see in God's creation that needs care from humans and/ or God?
(G, H) Name two animals you'd find on a farm of any kind.
(I) Name an animal you'd find in the wild.
(J) Name a creature you'd find in the sky.
(K) Name a creature you'd find in the sea.
Fill in the blanks for Psalm 8
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above (the) ___A___.
Out of the mouths of names and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
to silence ___B___.
When I look at your ___C___, the work, of your fingers,
the ___D___ and the ___E___ that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands
and you have put ___F___ under their feet,
all ___G___ and ___H___,
and also ___I___ of the field,
the ___J___ of the air, and the ___K___ of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Submitted by:
Shelley Woodruff, Pastor for Community Engagement, First Baptist Decatur