4 Minute Read + Scripture readings

Today’s Bible Reading:

Judges 21
Acts 25
Jeremiah 35
Psalms 7-8

Today’s Bible Verse(s):

Psalm 8:3–5 (CSB): “When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you set in place, what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man that you look after him? You made him little less than God and crowned him with glory and honor.”

Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):

The verses that I have chosen for today are fairly popular in the Christian community. We’ve all heard them time and time again.

Yet, in the Christian Standard Bible, the Bible translation that I use, it changes one of the words that is used in most translations. In most translations, verse 5 says: “You have made Him a little lower than the angels.” But, in the CSB it says: “You made him little less than God.”

That’s a big difference, isn’t it? Was Jesus incarnation a “little less than angels” or a “little less than God”?

Well, we have to determine whether we believe that the Bible was originally written in English or in Hebrew and Greek. Clearly, it was written in Hebrew and Greek so we believe that God’s Word is preserved in those languages.

So … what word does the Hebrew use in Psalm 8:5?

First, we observe that the King James Version uses the word “angels” in this verse. The translators of that version of the Bible were apparently looking at the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament that was in use in the first century). The Septuagint took the Hebrew word, “Elohim,” and for some unknown reason used the Greek word “angelos” to translate it into the Greek language. “Angelos” means “messenger” and is often translated “angel.”

However, when we look at the Hebrew Old Testament, we observe that the word that the Psalmist used is “Elohim.” It’s the name that is translated “God” just about every time is appears in the Hebrew Old Testament. In fact, it’s the word used in the very first verse of the Bible – “In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

So, when Psalm 8:5 speaks of mankind being made a little lower than God, we are reminded of how God agreed within the Trinity that He would make mankind in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27). It is also in that Genesis passage that we learn what it means to be made in God’s image – we were put into the position of high honor to steward His creation on His behalf.

Yet, mankind fell from that position. Genesis 3 recounts the event that brought death and destruction upon all that God had made, including the climax of creation – mankind.

Fast forward to Jesus. He remedied the problem!

But Jesus did more than just fix the problem of Adam’s sin and its consequences. His work makes us more than Adam and Eve as they were originally created. The first couple were created innocent but Jesus’ followers are born again and are credited with His righteous.

And, one day, in Heaven, we will not longer struggle with sin in our pursuit of holiness. We will be perfected, and perfectly righteous. God will always be infinitely above us in His power and glory but He has graciously placed us into a position of honor in spite of the fact that we are just dust.

Have you praised God for His grace today?

* * * * * * * * * *

Lord Jesus, thank You so much that when I see myself as I truly am, I am amazed that You would exalt me to a place of honor in this life but even more particularly when I arrive in my Heavenly home. You are so abundantly gracious and I am eternally grateful. Amen.

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