Psalm 8:3-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 8:3

When I consider thy heavens (comp. Psalms 19:1 ; Psalms 33:6 ; Psalms 104:2 ). David, in his shepherd-life, had had abundant opportunity of "considering the heavens," and had evidently scanned them with the eye of a poet and an intense admirer of nature. It is probably in remembrance of the nights when he watched his father's flock, that he makes no mention of the sun, but only of "the moon and the stars." The work of thy fingers ; and therefore "thy heavens." Often as the "hand of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 8:4

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? In comparison with the lofty heavens, the radiant moon, and the hosts of sparkling stars, man seems to the psalmist wholly unworthy of God's attention. He is not, like Job, impatient of God's constant observation ( Job 7:17-20 ), but simply filled with wonder at his marvellous condescension (comp. Psalms 144:3 ). And the son of man, that thou visitest him? The "son of man" here is a mere variant for "man" in the preceding hemistich. The clause... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 8:4

Man's littleness and his greatness. "What is man," etc.? The littleness and greatness of man are set before us here in powerful contrast. In view of this vast magnificent universe, he seems a speck, an atom, a vapour that appears and vanishes ( James 4:14 ). But the love, care, grace of his Maker lift him to a height where he sees the world at his feet; he is endowed with a life, heir to a glory, that shall endure when the earth and the heavens pass away. I. There is THE EARTHLY ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 8:3

When I consider thy heavens - When I contemplate or look upon. They are called his heavens because he made them - because he is the proprietor of them - perhaps because they are his abode.The work of thy fingers - Which thy fingers have made. The fingers are the instruments by which we construct a piece of work - perhaps indicating skill rather than strength; and hence so used in respect to God, as it is by his skill that the heavens have been made.The moon and the stars - Showing, as remarked... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 8:4

What is man - What claim has one so weak, and frail, and short-lived, to be remembered by time? What is there in man that entitles him to so much notice? Why has God conferred on him so signal honor? Why has he placed him over the works of his hands? Why has he made so many arrangements for his comfort? Why has he done so much to save him? He is so insignificant his life is so much like a vapor, he so soon disappears, he is so sinful and polluted, that the question may well be asked, why such... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 8:3-4

Psalms 8:3-4. When I consider thy heavens Thine by creation, as it follows; the work of thy fingers Of thy hands, as it is expressed Psalms 102:25, a part being here put for the whole, and God’s hand and finger being indifferently used to denote his power, Exodus 8:19; Luke 11:20. The moon and stars which thou hast ordained Hebrew כוננתה , chonantah, hast established, directed, or disposed; that is, placed in such admirable and unalterable order, and directed to their several... 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 8:3

work. The Western Massorites ( App-30 ), with Septuagint and Vulgate, read "works" (plural) fingers. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 . ordained = established. Hebrew. kun. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 8:4

What. . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . Quoted in Hebrews 2:5-8 . Compare 1 Corinthians 15:27 and Ephesians 1:22 . man = mortal man. Hebrew. 'enosh. mindful . . . visitest. Figure of speech Anabasis. the son of man. No Art. Occurs 3 times before this (Numbers 23:19 . Job 25:6 ; Job 35:8 ). In singular 111 times in O.T. and 39 times in plural (the other occurrences in the Pss. (Psalms 49:2 ; Psalms 144:3 ) is a different word). Here, Psalms 8:4 , the title relates to dominion in... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 8:3

"When I consider the heavens, the work of thy fingers,The moon, and the stars, which thou hast ordained;What is man that thou art mindful of him?And the son of man, that thou visitest him?""The work of thy fingers." The use of "fingers" here instead of hands, which we might have expected, suggests that it was no great difficulty whatever for God to have created the heavens and the earth and everything within them. God merely spoke the Word; and it was done!"The moon, and the stars." These words... read more

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