“For You have made him a little lower than angels (Elohim), and crowned him with glory and honor.” (Psalm 8:5 NKJV)
“Yet what honor you have given to men, created only a little lower than Elohim, crowned with glory and magnificence.” (Psalm 8:5 TPT)
“Yet you made them only a little lower than God (Elohim) and crowned them with glory and honor.” (Psalm 8:5 NLT)
“Yet You have made him a little lower than God (Elohim), and You have crowned him with glory and honor.” (Psalm 8:5 AMP)
“”You made him a little less than God (Elohim) and crowned him with glory and honor.” (Psalm 8:5 HCSB)
“You made him a little lower than the Angels (Elohim), you have clothed him in honor and in glory.” (Psalm 8:5 ABIPE)
I am the youngest of 4 boys in a family of 6 kids. As the youngest boy I was basically terrorized by my older brothers. Today we would probably label much of what I endured as “dysfunctional.” Back then it was simply life on the farm. I lived the old adage, “If it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger.” It’s amazing to me that I am as close to “normal,” and “well adjusted,” as I am.
To protect the innocent (or guilty as the case may be) I am not going to share details. However, I do remember a song that my brothers would sing to me as they surrounded me, got in my face, leaving no way of escape, “Got the tears wiped away, Eric? Got the tears wiped away, Eric? Well did you? Answer me…?” To this day that song brings with it some baggage in my memory and emotions.
I will say that one of the major long-term effects of being the youngest was a deep need to feel accepted and respected by my brothers. For all of my childhood, and most of my adult life, I longed to hear my brothers say anything that even hinted of being proud of me. I so badly wanted to fit in. Another effect was a very low self esteem. Only recently Daddy (my Heavenly Abba Father) revealed to me that much of my activity in life was driven by a need to feel that I was worthy of acceptance and respect.
As David wrote Psalm 8:4, the fact that he was also the youngest brother jumped off the page at me. He also had older brothers who made it hard for him to see himself worthy of respect and acceptance. Even his Dad thought that he was not worthy to be considered as a legitimate candidate for being selected as the next King of Israel. When the prophet asked to see his son’s in order to select the candidate, David’s Dad didn’t even bother to bring David into the house to be considered. No wonder David questioned why God would be mindful of man, and saw himself and others as “puny, mere mortals.” He was questioning his own value.
Psalm 8:5 is a major breakthrough for David (and me). David’s Heavenly Father revealed to him that he was worthy. He realized that he was so valuable to his Father in Heaven that he was created just a little lower than his Creator (Elohim). As a being created in the image and likeness of his Father, David realized that he had been crowned with glory and honor. he was magnificent in His the eyes of his Heavenly Father. Verse 5 gives me my true sense of identity. As I see myself as my Daddy sees me I no longer need the validation of anyone else (including my brothers).
I think it is telling that some Bible translators chose to water down this verse by translating “Elohim” as “angels” even though it is translated as “God” or “gods” over 99% of the time. While it is not outside of the possibility of the Hebrew word used in this verse to translate it as “angels”, it does not fit with the overall comparison of angels and humans throughout scripture. My personal opinion is that the reluctance to use the most obvious meaning in this verse (God) comes from “theological bias.” After all, much of religion points to a lower estate of mankind than is actually found in scripture.
Daddy used this verse to reveal to me that I had a much lower view of myself than He did. He opened my eyes to my deep need for acceptance, and freed me from living a “performance based” life. I am already of great value, regardless of what anyone else thinks. I am already accepted by the only One that truly matters. My Daddy loves me unconditionally (for no good reason at all). He accepts me just as I am. He created me in His image, and has crowned me with honor and glory. I am my Daddy’s son and He repects me! I am just like Him! I am magnificent! (let that sink in)
Let’s discover who we are, and how greatly we are valued, as we ponder…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 265 Life’s Divine Design (Psalm 8) Part 6 – Verse 5