Psalm 8:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 8:1

Psalms 8:1 . How excellent is thy name That is, thy glory, as it is explained in the next clause; in all the earth The works of creation and providence evince and proclaim to all the world that there is an infinite Being, the fountain of all being, power, and perfection; the sovereign Ruler, powerful Protector, and bountiful Benefactor of all creatures. How great, how illustrious, how magnificent is the glory of this Being in all the earth! The light of it shines in men’s faces... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 8:1-9

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 8:1

Title. A Psalm. See App-65 . LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . Thy name: i.e. Jehovah Himself; "name" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for His character, person, and attributes. See Psalms 20:1 . Compare Psalms 5:11 . the earth: i.e. the great subject of this Psalm. See note on verses: Psalms 8:4 , Psalms 8:6 . glory = majesty, or excellence. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 8:1

PSALM 8O LORD; OUR LORD; HOW EXCELLENT IS THY NAME!(FOR THE CHIEF MUSICIAN; SET TO THE GITTITH. A PSALM OF DAVID)."Set to the Gittith." Only three Psalms have this instruction in the superscription, namely, this one, Psalms 81 and Psalms 82.[1] Dummelow gave the meaning as, "perhaps an instrument or a tune, of Gath."[2] At best, however, such scholarly opinions are merely educated guesses. There is much uncertainty with regard to all of these superscriptions."A Psalm of David." There is nothing... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 8:1

Psalms 8:0. God's glory is magnified by his works, and by his love to man. To the chief musician upon Gittith. A Psalm of David. Title. Gittith.— lamnatseach al haggittith הגתית על למנצח The word גתית gittith, signifies wine-presses; Ληνων, the LXX. As to what is meant by these wine-presses, says Houbigant, we are utterly ignorant. Some interpreters, however, think that a musical instrument brought from Gath is implied; for the Chaldee renders it, "On the harp which David brought from Gath."... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 8:1

1. thy name—perfections (Psalms 5:11; Psalms 7:17). who hast set—literally, "which set Thou Thy glory," &c., or "which glory of Thine set Thou," &c., that is, make it more conspicuous as if earth were too small a theater for its display. A similar exposition suits the usual rendering. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 8:1

This psalm begins and ends with the same expression of wonder (inclusio) as David reflected on the splendor and magnificence of God as Creator. He addressed God as LORD (Yahweh, the covenant keeping God of Israel) our Lord (Adonai, the sovereign over all His creation including His people). In the second line (Gr. stich; Lat. colon) David meant God’s revealed character ("name," cf. Psalms 7:17) is high above all creation; He is much greater than anything He has made. The third line expresses a... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 8:1-2

1. Introductory reflection on God’s majesty 8:1-2 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 8:1-9

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

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 8:1-9

This Ps. is a poem of wondering praise, called forth by the thought of the supremacy and honour that God has given to man, who in himself holds such an insignificant place in the universe. The glory of the heavens and the variety of the works of nature combine to emphasise the marvel of this choice. The Ps. is based upon the story of creation (Genesis 1:26-28), and sets forth the ideal dignity of man. Psalms 8:6 is applied in 1 Corinthians 15:27; Ephesians 1:22 to the exaltation of Christ, in... read more

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