"O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger." (Psalm 8:1-2)
Upon praising God, the psalmist claims that somehow the utterances of children both "establish strength" and "still the enemy." Just what does this mean?
This Scripture declares that God's children, though not as strong as their enemies, win the ear of God and the favor of God. I am not sure whether literal children (babes and infants) are in view, or whether this is speaking of others in humble circumstances.
I am also uncertain what exactly proceeds from the "mouth" of babes and infants that so honors God. It would seem the most likely answer is praise. God wants his foes silenced--he doesn't care for what they have to say. However, he loves to hear the praise offered by humble children.
One more thought: This passage says that God stills "the enemy and the avenger." An enemy is someone who unjustly seeks our harm, yet an avenger in biblical times was someone who justly sought repayment for harm done to them. If I understand this passage correctly, it's the gospel in brief: God not only delivers us from harm that we don't deserve, but most importantly from the sentence of death we do deserve.
That is indeed reason to give him praise!
As we enjoy "free time" this weekend, I hope we will remember to join the psalmist in considering the majestic - and kind - works of the Lord.
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