Old Testament
Psalms 8
Overview
Psalm 8 is a hymn of praise that marvels at the majesty of God displayed across the heavens and the dignity He has given to humanity. Gazing at the moon and stars God set in place, David asks why such a glorious Maker would be mindful of frail human beings at all. Yet God has crowned mankind with glory and honor, making them rulers over the works of His hands, with all creation under their feet. The psalm opens and closes with the same refrain, framing all of human dignity within the surpassing glory of the LORD's name.
1To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
2Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
3When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
7All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
8The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
9O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!