Mensa Otabil - Crowned with Glory and Honour (10/05/2025)
We’re continuing our study of Psalm 8 and looking at verse 5. For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and you have crowned him with glory and honor. Previously, David had asked the question, «What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you should visit him?» This is an answer to the question: «You have made him a little lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor.»
Here, the psalm introduces us to the unique role that God has placed human beings in His creation. What he is saying draws from the first chapters of the book of Genesis, where God created man in His image and likeness.The first thing to note here is the statement, «You have made him,» which emphasizes that God made us. We didn’t make ourselves; we didn’t just happen to be. God made us. This is a truth at the heart of Christianity: we are God’s creation. God intentionally made us.
Then He says He made us a little lower. I want to explain something here, because if you ponder what the psalm is saying, considering the entire universe and everything in it, why is mankind important to God? What is it about human beings, who seem frail and insignificant, that sets us apart in the larger scheme of the universe? It states that God has made him a little lower-in the New King James Version, it says «a little lower than the angels.» The word translated as «angels» in Hebrew is the word «Elohim.»
If you remember, when we looked at the names of God, we encountered this name, Elohim. Elohim is broadly used for God, but it is also sometimes used for other deities, angels, and occasionally even human judges. Thus, how to translate «Elohim» is always a challenge; some translate it for angels and others for God. However, if you consider this psalm in the context of Genesis chapter 1, where the Bible states that God created man in His own image and likeness, we conclude that God has made man a little lower than Himself. Why? Because He created man to be like Him. He didn’t create us to be like angels but like God.
This is a crucial truth: in God’s creation, there is nothing that resembles God as much as human beings do. He made us to be like Him, although lower than Him. After God made us a little lower than Himself, He crowned us with glory and honor. The word «crown» means to surround or to cover, indicating that God has covered us with glory and honor. You might look at yourself and think that your life doesn’t mean much, but God has crowned you with glory and honor. He has poured it around you. In spite of all the struggles you face and perhaps some shameful or disgraceful things that have occurred in your life, God still crowns you with glory and honor. You are special; I am special; we are special in God’s plan. Human beings are endowed with dignity and honor, and it doesn’t matter what kind of human being they are-they deserve to be treated with dignity and honor because they represent the image of God.
This is why the psalmist says that God is mindful of us. The sun, moon, and stars are not the image of God; they reflect His glory, but in themselves, they are not His image. The animals are grand and beautiful, but they are not the image of God. The solar system, including the planetary systems-none of them represents the image of God. You and I, human beings, occupy a very special place in God’s heart and mind; that is why He is mindful of us.
Let us pray. Say with me: Heavenly Father, you have made me to be like You. Teach me to manifest Your glory and honor in all I do. In Jesus' name, amen. God has made you to be like Him. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. I’ll catch you again. Shalom. Peace and life to you.