In these nine verses, the Psalmist evokes one of the most awesome truths of scripture.

The first third of the psalm is a pure, unadulterated call to praise for the creator God.  His awe and majesty is evoked, as well as his providence and praiseworthiness.

In the midst of this thought, the psalmist poses a stunning question to the God who created everything and sustains it by his will:

"What is man that you are mindful of him?"

What indeed?

The faith of the Hebrews is innovative on two major fronts.  They depart from the religions of those around them in their insistence upon a single, sovereign God who created and sustains the entire universe.  The God of Israel is the God of the cosmos, all powerful, just and good.

Almost paradoxically, the God of Israel is different from the gods of surrounding nations in another way as well.  This God takes note of humanity, our suffering, and our need for fulfillment.  Our God is both more powerful and more intimately loving than any god which the pagan world could conjur with their imaginings.

But there is more.  The psalmist continues, insisting that we are not only loved by God, but entrusted with the stewardship of his beloved creation.  We are not just God's sweet little pets, but a intregal part of his ongoing work in creation.

It is one thing to be indebted to one who gives us life. It is another to be indebted to one who extends us unmerited love.

But far beyond these debts are the debts of those who are treasured enough to be entrusted with God's most prized posessions.