Ordained Strength
Psalms 8:2 NKJV
Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
You have ordained strength,
Because of Your enemies,
That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
As you read the Scriptures over time, you begin to make connections. A good study Bible or Bible software will be extremely helpful in gaining a better understanding of what is being communicated.
In our passage for today, David, writing by inspiration, gives us a verse that doesn’t seem connected with the theme of this psalm. The theme deals with the grandeur of God and His creation. In light of all God has made, what is man that God puts all things under man's authority? The psalm is a fascinating look at what God has created and then gave the authority to rule to man.
And then we have today's verse. "Out of the mouth of babes and infants you have ordained strength." That's a bit hard to understand at face value. We get greater insight because Jesus quoted this psalm, but quoted it differently. In Matthew 21:16, Jesus responded to the Pharisees who were not happy with the children crying, "Hosanna to the Son of David." In effect, the children were proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus pushed back on the Pharisees by quoting the first part of Psalm 8:2, "Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise." Ah, so now we gain more insight. The ordained strength from little ones was praise. And it is praise that is used as a weapon against the enemy and the avenger. The New English Translation renders Psalm 8:2 as "From the mouths of children and nursing babies you have ordained praise on account of your adversaries, so that you might put an end to the vindictive enemy." The NIV says, "Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger."
So as we look at different translations, we still find congruency. Praise and strength come from our mouth and is a weapon we can use against the torments of the enemy. When you are feeling down or discouraged, praising God will help you resist that current of negativity. When you first start out, you may not feel strength, but as you take a step of faith, you can get to a different place. A better place. A place of strength. Jesus did not stop the children from praising Him. The Pharisees tried but were unsuccessful. The enemy can't stop us either. Praise and strength can come from our mouths.
Prayer
Father, I choose to offer the sacrifice of praise to You. It strengthens me and silences the enemy.