Psalm 8:6-8

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 8:6

Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands. An evident reference to Genesis 1:28 , "Have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." By these words man's right of dominion was established. His actual dominion only came, and still comes, by degrees. Thou hast put all things under his feet. In their fulness, the words are only true of the God-Man, Jesus Christ ( Matthew 28:18 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 8:6

Man-nature-God. "Thou hast put … feet." This brief but majestic psalm is remarkable for world-wide breadth; it shines with light transcending human genius. The name by which the Almighty Maker is addressed is his covenant name with Israel—the name which speaks not of power , but of personal being, "Jehovah." But here is no reference to Israel; nothing national, limited, ceremonial, local, temporary. This psalm is a sufficient refutation of the mean, narrow views of the Old Testament... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 8:7

All sheep and oxen ; literally, flocks and oxen , all of them. The domesticated animals are placed first, as most completely under man's actual dominion. Yea, and the beasts of the field ; i.e. "and all other land animals" (comp. Genesis 1:28 ; Genesis 9:2 ). If some were still unsubdued ( 2 Kings 17:25 , 2 Kings 17:26 ; Job 40:24 ; Job 41:1-10 ), their subjugation was only a question of time (see Isaiah 11:6-9 ; Isaiah 65:25 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 8:8

The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas ; literally, fowl of the air , and fishes of the sea , the passer through the paths of the seas. Every passer through the paths of the seas, whether exactly a fish or no. The cetacea are thus included (comp. Genesis 1:21 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 8:6

Thou madest him to have dominion - Thou didst cause him to have, or didst give him this dominion. It does not mean that God made or created him for that end, but that he had conceded to him that dominion, thus conferring on him exalted honor. The allusion is to Genesis 1:26, Genesis 1:28.Over the works of thy hands - His works upon the earth, for the dominion extends no further.Thou hast put all things under his feet - Hast placed all things in subjection to him. Compare Psalms 47:3; Psalms... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 8:7

All sheep and oxen - Flocks and herds. Genesis 1:26, “over the cattle.” Nothing is more manifest than the control which man exercises over flocks and herds - making them subservient to his use, and obedient to his will.And the beasts of the field - Those not included in the general phrase “sheep and oxen.” The word rendered “field,” שׂדה śâdeh - or the poetic form, as here - שׂדי śâday, means properly a plain; a level tract of country; then, a field, or a tilled farm, Genesis 23:17; Genesis... read more

Albert Barnes

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

The fowl of the air - Genesis 1:26, “Over the fowl of the air.” Genesis 9:2, “upon every fowl of the air.” This dominion is the more remarkable because the birds of the air seem to be beyond the reach of man; and yet, equally with the beasts of the field, they are subject to his control. Man captures and destroys them; he prevents their multiplication and their ravages. Numerous as they are, and rapid as is their flight, and strong as many of them are, they have never succeeded in making man... read more

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