Many phrases in the Bible call us to deeper reflection on our existence in the world and our relationship with God. Psalm 8, though short, provides us with several such phrases. Let us reflect on the central idea and motivating inspiration for the composition of this Psalm: the majestic universe and the apparently insignificant human being: "What is man that you should be mindful of him or the Son of Man that you should care for him?"

The Psalm then reveals some of the ways in which God is mindful of us and cares for us. We are created a little lower than the angels and have been given rule of the rest of creation.

If we truly appreciate this wonderful universe which God has created for us, we will responsibly realize that "rule" over it must be carried out with the same mindfulness and care that God, the Giver of this great gift, continually shows for us.

We are created to be a little lower than the angels, but often fail to live out the high vocation, acting as if we were a little lower than the animals.