Psalm 8 Prayer Guide

Try entering into praise with this three-part rhythm: Part 1 Become present to the presence of God: Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar and watch for fire to descend. (Psalm 5:3 The Message). Pause in silence before God. Practice breathing slowly and deeply. As you inhale, invite the Holy Spirit to fill every part of your being- your body, mind, imagination, affections and emotions. As you exhale, release any burdens you are carrying into this time of prayer. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self -‘as is’ -before the presence of God. Optional prayer of approach: “Creator God, anoint my eyes with wonder to behold the manifold witness of creation- your name carved on every cell; constellations brimming with glory… I stand beneath the blanket of the skies heavy with a weight of glory, as moon, stars, supernovas, distant galaxies, sing in infinite night- a deep space chorus proclaiming your goodness. How is it Lord, that in your power and majesty you find time for me? You- spinner of galaxies, sculptor of space, of time, of matter, make room to be Immanuel?” (Sheltering Mercy, by Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt: Psalm 8). Part 2 Slowly read Psalm 8 out loud in two different translations: (for an audio version click here) ESV: 8:1 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? 5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings, and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, 7 all sheep and oxen and also the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. 9 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! The Message 8:1 God, brilliant Lord, yours is a household name. 2 Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you; toddlers shout the songs That drown out enemy talk, and silence atheist babble. 3-4 I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky-jewelry, Moon and stars mounted in their settings. Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, Why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way? 5-8 Yet we’ve so narrowly missed being gods, bright with Eden’s dawn light. You put us in charge of your handcrafted world, repeated to us your Genesis-charge, Made us stewards of sheep and cattle, even animals out in the wild, Birds flying and fish swimming, whales singing in the ocean deeps. 9 God, brilliant Lord, your name echoes around the world. Part 3 Use your own words to pray Psalm 8 back to God: “Lord God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit- I praise you, for who you are… “I praise you for what you have done. Specifically, I thank you for… The psalms were originally written as lyrics, as prayers set to music. Throughout the history of Israel and the church, the people of God have sung the psalms. Song invites us to internalize the Word of God with the whole self- body, mind, imagination, emotions and affections. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 8 set to music. Try taking the psalm song with you into your day. from the album ‘Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, Vol. 1’ (2021) by Shane and Shane. shaneandshane.com. from the album ‘Man of Sorrows’ (2023) by Sons of Korah. sonsofkorah.com from the album ‘Psalm Songs Vol. 1’ (2015) by Corner Room. cornerroommusic.com.