Psalm 8:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 8:3-9

David here goes on to magnify the honour of God by recounting the honours he has put upon man, especially the man Christ Jesus. The condescensions of the divine grace call for our praises as much as the elevations of the divine glory. How God has condescended in favour to man the psalmist here observes with wonder and thankfulness, and recommends it to our thoughts. See here, I. What it is that leads him to admire the condescending favour of God to man; it is his consideration of the lustre... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 8:4

What is man, that thou art mindful of him ?.... That is, the psalmist, while he was considering the greatness and glory of the celestial bodies, thought this within himself, and so expressed it; which is to be understood, not of man in general, nor of Adam in a state of innocence; he could not be called "Enosh", the word here used, which signifies a frail, weak, sickly mortal man; nor could he with any propriety be said to be the son of man, as in the following clause: nor of fallen man, or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 8:4

What is man - אנוש מה mah enosh , what is wretched, miserable man; man in his fallen state, full of infirmity, ignorance, and sin? That thou art mindful of him? - That thou settest thy heart upon him, keepest him continually in thy merciful view. And the son of man - אדם ובן uben Adam , and the son of Adam, the first great rebel; the fallen child of a fallen parent. See the note on Job 7:17 . Some think eminent men are here intended. What is man in common; what the most... 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

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 8:4

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

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