Have you ever wondered why humans have authority over animals? The psalmist reveals God’s deliberate choice to crown us as rulers!

“You made them rulers over the works of your hands” – God intentionally appointed humans to rule over His creation. “You put everything under their feet” – this shows the scope of our authority. Then God lists what’s under our care: “all flocks and herds” (farm animals), “animals of the wild” (wildlife), “birds in the sky” (all flying creatures), and “fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas” (marine life).

But being crowned as rulers doesn’t mean we can be cruel or careless! Good rulers serve their subjects with care and protection. We’re crowned with responsibility, not permission to exploit. Every land animal, bird, and sea creature is under our royal care. How we treat them shows whether we’re worthy of the crown God gave us!