(6) The poet continues, in a rapturous strain, to complete the cycle of animated nature, and to describe man’s kingship over all other created beings. For St. Paul’s expansion of the thought, and elevation of it into yet a higher sphere, see 1 Corinthians 15:27. read more
Considering Psalms 8:3 'When I consider' I become a new man, much larger, nobler, saintlier. What does consider mean? It is two words, it is two Latin words; it is con or cum , with, together sider what is there in the word sider ? Nothing. Take care! Sider comes a long way up the track of language; it was born sidus . That is what you say when you write your married name; under it you put née, born another name, your father's name, which you have relinquished in favour of another name.... read more
Psalms 8:1-9THE exclamation which begins and ends this psalm, enclosing it as a jewel in a setting, determines its theme as being neither the nightly heaven with all its stars, nor the dignity of man, but the name of the Lord as proclaimed by both. The Biblical contemplation of nature and man starts from and ends in God. The main thought of the psalm is the superiority of the revelation in man’s nature and place to that in the vault of heaven. The very smallness of man makes the revelation of... read more
Psalms 8:0 The Son of Man: All Things Put Under His Feet 1. A little lower than the angels; crowned with glory (Psalms 8:1-5 ) 2. All things put under Him (Psalms 8:6-8 ) 3. How excellent is Thy Name over all the earth (Psalms 8:9 ) Psalms 8:1-5 . In this Psalm we behold Christ again, and here as Son of Man. Three times this Psalm is quoted in the New Testament; in Matthew 21:16 , 1 Corinthians 15:27 and Hebrews 2:6-9 . The latter passage shows clearly who the Son of Man is who was made... read more
8:4 What is {b} man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?(b) It was sufficient for him to have set forth his glory by the heavens, though he had not come so low as to man who is but dust. read more
8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the {c} angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.(c) Concerning his first creation. read more
The length of our lessons in this book are determined rather arbitrarily by the length of the different psalms, or the special interest found in them. We have in mind weekly classes wishing to study the whole Bible in a connected way, and yet avoid tediousness in the process. The six psalms included in the last lesson might easily be read by the class in a week; and on the Lord’s Day, the teacher with the assistance of the questions, would have little difficulty in fastening the facts and their... read more
Psalms 8:0 [Note. One critic has called this a lyric echo of the first chapter of Genesis. The best critics do not doubt the Davidic authorship. The word "Gittith" in the title is rendered by the LXX. and Vulgate "for the winepresses." Another derivation makes it a kind of flute. Other critics think that the most probable explanation connects it with Gath, the Philistine town. According to a Talmudic paraphrase, "upon Gittith" should be read, "on the kinnor which was brought from Gath," thus... read more
The Psalmist is here lost in admiration. He contemplates the heavenly bodies, those bright luminaries the moon and the stars. He doth not notice the sun; probably it was night when this meditation on the starry sky was taken. And while he considered these vast powers of God's creation, he is lost in wonder in recollecting the mercies of redemption. And it should seem particularly with an eye to the great Maker condescending to become man. It is not that he who made so magnificent a world... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 8:5
(5) The Hebrew poet dwells on neither of these aspects, but at once passes on to the essential greatness of man and his superiority in creation, by reason of his moral sense and his spiritual likeness to God. Another English poet sings to the stars:—“’Tis to be forgivenThat, in our aspirations to be great,Our destinies o’erleap their mortal state,And claim a kindred with you.”—BYRON: Childe Harold.But the psalmist looks beyond the bright worlds to a higher kinship with God Himself.For thou hast... read more