The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas ; literally, fowl of the air , and fishes of the sea , the passer through the paths of the seas. Every passer through the paths of the seas, whether exactly a fish or no. The cetacea are thus included (comp. Genesis 1:21 ). read more
All sheep and oxen - Flocks and herds. Genesis 1:26, “over the cattle.” Nothing is more manifest than the control which man exercises over flocks and herds - making them subservient to his use, and obedient to his will.And the beasts of the field - Those not included in the general phrase “sheep and oxen.” The word rendered “field,” שׂדה śâdeh - or the poetic form, as here - שׂדי śâday, means properly a plain; a level tract of country; then, a field, or a tilled farm, Genesis 23:17; Genesis... read more
The fowl of the air - Genesis 1:26, “Over the fowl of the air.” Genesis 9:2, “upon every fowl of the air.” This dominion is the more remarkable because the birds of the air seem to be beyond the reach of man; and yet, equally with the beasts of the field, they are subject to his control. Man captures and destroys them; he prevents their multiplication and their ravages. Numerous as they are, and rapid as is their flight, and strong as many of them are, they have never succeeded in making man... read more
Psalms 8:6-8. Thou madest him to have dominion over the work of thy hands Didst constitute him lord of the inferior creatures, and invest him with a sovereign dominion over them. The charter whereby man was to hold this royalty bore date with his creation, Genesis 1:28; and though it was forfeited by his fall, it was, in a great degree, renewed after the flood; since which time man has had all things, in such a sense, under his feet, that he can not only serve himself of the labour,... read more
Psalms 8:0 Divine glory and human dignityGod is so great in majesty and power that nothing in the universe can challenge his sovereign rule. The praises of children may appear to be weak and simple, but they are sufficient to silence God’s enemies. God uses what appears to be powerless to overcome all the hostile forces that his enemies can gather (1-2).This majestic power of God is seen also in the vastness of the universe that he created. How amazing, therefore, that God should give to feeble... read more
"All sheep and oxen,Yea, and all beasts of the field,The birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,Whatsoever passes through the paths of the seas.O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!"These words are merely an elaboration of the promise that God would put all things under the feet of men. This enumeration begins with animals that men have tamed, goes on to include the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fishes of the seas.The Psalm closes with... read more
Psalms 8In this psalm of creation praise (cf. Psalms 33, 104, 145) David marveled at the fact that God had committed the dominion of the earth to man, and he reflected on the dignity of man. Other commonly recognized psalms of praise are 19, 29, 33, 47, 65-66, 68, 93, 96-100, 104-106, 111, 113-114, 117, 134-136, and 145-150. Some students of this psalm have called it a nature psalm, and some see it as messianic. The poet commented on Genesis 1:26-28 by clarifying the importance and role of... read more
2. Man’s place in God’s creation 8:3-8In view of God’s greatness and man’s relative lowliness, it was marvelous to the psalmist that God would entrust His creation to humankind. read more
God placed all living creatures under the control of Adam and Eve before the Fall, and when they fell He did not withdraw this privilege (cf. Genesis 9:1-3; Genesis 9:7). But because they sinned, man has never been able to fulfill the destiny for which God created him, namely, to be king of the earth. Man’s responsibility is to maintain order in creation, not to let it control him. Man may use any animals, domesticated or wild, for his purposes, including food (Genesis 9:3; 1 Timothy 4:3-5).... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 8:7
All sheep and oxen ; literally, flocks and oxen , all of them. The domesticated animals are placed first, as most completely under man's actual dominion. Yea, and the beasts of the field ; i.e. "and all other land animals" (comp. Genesis 1:28 ; Genesis 9:2 ). If some were still unsubdued ( 2 Kings 17:25 , 2 Kings 17:26 ; Job 40:24 ; Job 41:1-10 ), their subjugation was only a question of time (see Isaiah 11:6-9 ; Isaiah 65:25 ). read more