The relationship of humankind and nature according to Psalm 8

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on studying the relationship between humankind and nature in Psalm 8.The study of this relationship was triggered by Psalm 8 which, when closely examined, reveals a relationship suggesting an interrelatedness between humankind and nature.This research investigates the cause, nature, and result of that interrelatedness.The hypothesis that has guided this study has been that humankind and nature form a oneness or holism and partnership, and this oneness or holism and partnership lead to interrelatedness between these two entities.Our appreciation of this can be enhanced by approaching it from a Xhosa perspective.This approach also makes a contribution to Seventh-day Adventist theological reflection.In support of this hypothesis an exegesis of Psalm 8 is presented.Psalm 8 is one of the several Old Testament texts that seem to reflect this oneness and partnership, suggesting the interrelatedness between humankind and nature.In this exegesis a close reading approach was employed.The close reading approach refers to the studying of the language in the text, the style of the writing, the metaphors, and the relation of these to one another [Childs 1983:33, 34].Xhosa and Seventh-day Adventist perspectives of the relationship between humankind and nature have been considered in this discussion: the Xhosa perspective because of my affiliation to these people, and also because Xhosas maintain that there is oneness or holism between humankind and nature.The Seventh-day Adventist perspective has been

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