If you ever wondered about the value God places on human beings, you only need to read Psalm 8. Humanity, which was made a little lower, or a little less, than God Himself (Ps. 8:5), rules over the rest of creation. We are God’s representatives for the rest of the world—a little lower, yet infinitely greater. This is true of no other created being in heaven or on earth. Not even the angels are “crowned” with this glory and honor, to be called and function as God’s imagebearers. They do not share in this special calling; they do not share in dominion or authority over the rest of creation.
The Basis of Human Value
But this uniqueness is not a reason for pride. It is a call to humility. As the psalmist questioned in verse 4, we have to ask ourselves: What have we done to be worthy of this glory and honor? Why should God care about us, His creatures? Why should He place such privilege on humanity? The psalmist, even in asking the question, provides the answer—nothing. Our value to God has nothing to do with what we do or have done. Our value to God is based on how He made us, on who we are.
Good News for the Weary
This is exceptionally good news for those who are weary and heavy laden (Matt. 11:28). It is good news for all who sin and stumble and continually try to earn God’s affection and approval. It is even good news for those who doubt that God exists. Our value to God is not something that can be earned. And while our inherent value does not remove the need for the forgiveness of our sins, it allows us to marvel evermore at the lengths God went to save us—sending His Son, Jesus, to become like us in our weakness, to become lower than the angels (Heb. 2:5-9), so that by faith in Him, we can be forgiven forever.
This post is adapted from Day 5 of Unit 1, Session 2, “Made in His Image,” published in the Daily Discipleship Guide for The Gospel Project for Adults Vol. 1 (Fall 2021): From Creation to Chaos.
I often say , “If you can’t believe Gen 1:1 there is no need to read the rest of the Bible. ” everything starts and ends with God.
GREAT COMMENTS!!! Totally valid!
Thank you for the helpful comments made.
Psalm 8:5 “For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.” I therefore see that humanity is made a little lower or less than the angels and not “Humanity, which was made a little lower, or a little less, than God Himself (Ps. 8:5)”
I think the basis is from a different translation, CSB. I think the reason for this translation is that the original word there is Elohim, which is often used in the Bible as the name of God Himself. I think previous translators just used the alternative meaning of Elohim (heavenly beings, or angels in this case) to avoid a possibly heretical view. But as we read here, not everyone feels that way about the idea. ALL THIS BEING SAID, I personally lean towards the “angel” translation just by the fact that the phrase “we are made little less than God” doesn’t really jive with the rest of Scripture which seems to place an almost infinite chasm between power and value of God and humans, which makes Jesus’ incarnation that much more unbelievable and amazing. If God was literally only a little less more than humans, such a step down wouldn’t have been as unfathomable for the Jews. I’m sharing this just to say that different views on this matter are not completely unjustified.