“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place- what is mankind that you are mindful of them? Human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You have made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. God, brilliant Lord, your name echoes around the world“
– Psalm 8:3-9
I love to read outside, don’t you? Especially the Bible. There’s nothing like reading a book about Heaven and Earth, sitting in a place where you can see them.
Psalm 8:3-9. It only took me a few seconds to type it out, but boy have those words been around for a long time. Did you know David (shepherd boy, turned musician, turned giant killer, turned King) first scribbled them into existence in 1015 B.C.? Now here I sit, more than three thousand years later, staring at the same string of words, grateful and awestruck, just like the guy who took the time to make sure I would find them all these years later. Here I sit, inspired to make sure other folks see them too.
And then there’s Matthew Maury.
He has a special connection to Psalm 8 as well. Have you heard his story? He was in the Navy back in the 1800s and this is how part of it goes…
At age 33, his naval career abruptly came to an end after he fell off the top of a stagecoach. Long story short, he gave up his seat (inside) to a female passenger and was injured when the driver lost control, the coach overturned, and he flew off the top. His right leg suffered multiple fractures and he was forced to give up his days at sea. While bedridden, he asked one of his daughters to read from the Bible. She chose Psalm 8. When she finished, he repeated, “The paths of the sea, the paths of the sea, the paths of the sea”, and announced, “If God says the paths of the sea, they are there, and if I ever get out of this bed I will find them!” In an instant, that tiny little sentence jumped off the page and instilled a great big belief in Matthew Maury. He began to devote his time to the study of navigation, meteorology, winds, and currents, and when he was finally able, he got to work sailing. Shortly thereafter, he made a history-changing discovery. He proved that ships could use winds and currents to cross the ocean faster. How? He found a path in the sea. Eventually, his data was used to develop charts for all the major trade routes and ships still use them to travel faster to this day. Today, Matthew Maury is nicknamed “Pathfinder of the Seas”. Isn’t that incredible? I love hearing stories about how the Bible keeps reaching down to all of us who read it.
(Matthew Maury monument in Richmond, VA. Wind & current charts in one hand, a pencil & compass in the other…the Bible on the floor by his foot.)
God, brilliant Lord, you name still echoes around the world…on paper pages…and on my porch.
Layla
PS- Have I told you about our wonderful porch swing? It’s from the folks at Four Oak Bed Swings. They’re local folks but they offer free nationwide shipping. Here’s a link to their site if you’re in the market: Four Oak Bed Swings.
I love this- such a beautiful Psalm. And thanks for sharing the story of Matthew Maury. I homeschool my kids and can’t wait to share this with them today!
Would you please share a link to the Bible you use? Thank you!
Incredible read! Thank you so much for sharing. 😊
Love this post! True stories that are almost unbelievable are my favorite
So glad I read this post, love Psalms (my favorite) and the story of Matthew Maury and how he was able to continue to be useful and productive after such a horrible accident. Very positive way to start off my week. Thanks again.
Thanks so much for sharing this story! I love the Psalms! Which bible do you use? God is so good and we are so blessed!
Oh I’m so glad you’re link is fixed so I could be encouraged!! Such a fine example of God talking to us and all we have to do is be open to listening!! Thank you for ALL the sharing and caring you do! God Bless You!
Beautiful post Layla! Such an interesting story! Beauty from Ashes!
We also have a Four Oak Bedswing and LOVE it!! So well built and exceptionally comfortable! David is amazing to work with too! He helped me convince my hubby that “yes, it will indeed fit on our screened in porch with a pitched ceiling and massive ceiling fan! He was right! It’s perfect! I believe we have the same fabric: Sunbrella Cast Ash! I had them paintvit our house color (Alabaster by SW) and it looks like an extension to the house!! If anyone wants to see ours… I’m Browneyedgirlygirl on IG -just scroll down in my feed to find it. I’ve got some GREAT pillows on order to make it even more special!
Love love love this post!! Thank you for sharing your heart with us! I am so thankful Gods word is alive!
I had never heard of Matthew Maury. Just think that one sentence jumped out at him and changed his life and others forever. Wow
Precious words – all of them – simply precious!
I’m loving your instagram posts and didn’t realise you were a Christian when I started to follow you. Such a lovely blessing 😊 thank you for today’s post and encouragement to read your blog. A fantastic story and so typical of what our amazing God does when we run into Him for help in our days of trouble…..
I am actually outside reading your post! The weather is picture perfect today and I am sitting in an old iron patio chair on my front patio. Ch eers!
Hi,I too would like to know more where you got your reading for today?? What Bible ??
Thank you for this story and is connection to scripture!
I absolutely love this!!! My 23 year old daughter is in the US Navy and so this is extra special.
Thank you for sharing & God Bless!
Thank you for sharing this. I love this scripture! I have never heard Maury’s story. It is amazing!
Love that version of the Psalms and the inspirational story as well. Reading outside is my all time favorite place to read ❤
Thank you for opening our eyes to this passage today. You know, one thing I get from this scripture (and from your writing) is that there are more than one “paths in the sea”. That there are changes, new places, and yet still all under God’s guiding hand. Maybe it is because I have had to change careers and God has lead me to a different path that I am both excited for and a bit nervous about.
This is one of my favorite psalms ❤️ Such a masterful picture of how God loves us — in our imperfections, through our weaknesses, where we see unworthy HE sanctifies and redeems. Such an awesome, humbling realization. Thank you for sharing your heart!
I am from Richmond, Va and I know the Maury monument well…but never did i ever know his story was linked to psalm 8!!! Amazing!!! Thanks so much for sharing Layla!
Layla,
For what it’s worth, I LOVE the idea of a player for audio of the blog post. I am mama to a beautiful little girl from China who is blind. Things like this make the world all the more accessible for people with vision loss like her!
Awesome post! And it would be great in audio too!! The story you share shows the incredible power of our Lord to use the hardships in our lives for His good. We need those hard times to stretch and grow us! This is how and why we can count it all joy!! Thanks for sharing!
I believe that the text comes from the NIV New International Version. It is a lovely translation.
Thank you for sharing God’s word with us!