Psalm 8:1 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 8:1-2

The psalmist here sets himself to give to God the glory due to his name. Dr. Hammond grounds a conjecture upon the title of this psalm concerning the occasion of penning it. It is said to be upon Gittith, which is generally taken for the tune, or musical instrument, with which this psalm was to be sung; but he renders it upon the Gittite, that is, Goliath the Gittite, whom he vanquished and slew (1 Sam. 17:1-58); that enemy was stilled by him who was, in comparison, but a babe and a suckling.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 8:1

O Lord our God ,.... Jehovah, the one God, who is Lord of all angels and men, and in an especial manner Lord and King of saints; how excellent is thy name in all the earth ! by the "name" of God is not meant any particular name of his, by which he is called; but either himself, his nature and perfections; or rather that by which he is made known, and particularly his Gospel; see John 17:6 ; this is excellent in its nature, it being good news, and glad tidings of good things, which... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 8:1

O Lord our Lord - אדנינו יהוה Yehovah Adoneynu ; O Jehovah our Prop, our Stay, or Support. אדני Adonai is frequently used: sometimes, indeed often, for the word יהוה Yehovah itself. The root דן dan signifies to direct, rule, judge, support. So Adonai is the Director, Ruler, Judge, Supporter of men. It is well joined with Jehovah; this showing what God is in himself; that, what God is to man; and may here very properly refer to our Lord Jesus. How excellent is thy name in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 8:1

Verse 1 Whether גתית, Gittith, signifies a musical instrument or some particular tune, or the beginning of some famous and well-known song, I do not take upon me to determine. Those who think that the psalm is so called because it was composed in the city of Gath, give a strained and far-fetched explanation of the matter. Of the other three opinions, of which I have spoken, it is not of much importance which is adopted. The principal thing to be attended to is what the psalm itself contains,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 8:1

O Lord our Lord . In the original, Jehovah Adoneynu ; i.e. "Jehovah, who art our sovereign Lord and Master." As David is here the mouthpiece of humanity, praising God for mercies common to all men, he uses the plural pronoun instead of the singular one . How excellent is thy Name in all the earth! or, "How glorious is thy Name!" (Kay, Cheyne). Who hast set thy glory above the heavens . It is difficult to obtain this sense from the present Hebrew text; but some corruption of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 8:1-9

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 8:1-9

Lord what is man? This is a song of praise equally adapted for men of every nation, country, colour, and clime. Its author was David, £ who, as a shepherd-boy, had cast an observant eye on the works of God, both in the heavens above and the earth beneath; and the habit of doing this reverently and devoutly grew with his growth; so that, though we are entirely ignorant as to what period of his life it was in which he penned this psalm, it is manifestly an echo of the thoughts which, in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 8:1-9

God the glorious Creator. It is midnight. The sky is bright with stars. As the psalmist muses, the fire burns, and he bursts into song. The psalm is not for Israel alone, but brings before the mind such a vision of the glory of God as the great Creator, as binds all people of every land and age in a brotherhood of worship. I. GOD 'S GLORY REVEALED IN NATURE . The heavens have a purpose. The outward glory images the inward and spiritual glory. The stars are silent witnesses... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 8:1-9

God's glory revealed. "The great spiritual truth contained in the first passage of Scripture, that God made man in his own image, flashes forth in this psalm in true lyric grandeur, a ray of light across the dark mystery of creation" God is the most wonderful thought of the human mind, and this thought retains its hold upon us in spite of all atheistic influences. Here the thought is that God's glory is celebrated— I. BY CHILDHOOD . Putting to silence the clamour of the atheist.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 8:1

O Lord - Hebrew, יהוה Yahweh. It is an address to God by his chosen and special title, Exodus 3:14. Compare the notes at Isaiah 1:2.Our Lord - The word used here - אדני 'âdônay - means properly master, lord, ruler, owner, and is such a title as is given to an owner of land or of slaves, to kings, or to rulers, and is applied to God as being the ruler or governor of the universe. The meaning here is, that the psalmist acknowledged Yahweh to be the rightful ruler, king, or master of himself and... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 8:1-2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 8:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 8:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 8:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 8:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 8:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 8:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 8:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 8:1-9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 8:1

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