Psalm 8:1-3 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

Matthew Henry

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 8:1

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 8:2

Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings ,.... Not literally such, though the Jewish writers F5 Aben Ezra & R. Moses in ibid. Kimchi, Obadiah Gaon, & Ben Melech in loc. generally so understand it; as do some Christian interpreters, who explain it of the wonderful formation, nourishment, and growth of infants; and of the marvellous care of God in providing the breast for them; in filling it with milk, and teaching them to suck; which, being observed by men, occasion praise to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 8:3

When I consider thy heavens ,.... Where God dwells, and which he has made; the airy and starry heavens, which are to be seen with the bodily eye; and the heaven of heavens, which is to be beheld and considered by faith: the work of thy fingers ; being curiously wrought by his power, and garnished by his Spirit: for the finger of God is the Spirit of God; see Matthew 12:28 ; compared with Luke 11:20 ; the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained , or "prepared" F8 כוננת ... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 8:2

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings - We have seen how our Lord applied this passage to the Jewish children, who, seeing his miracles, cried out in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" Matthew 21:16 . And we have seen how the enemy and the avenger - the chief priests and the scribes - were offended because of these things; and as the Psalm wholly concerns Jesus Christ, it is most probable that in this act of the Jewish children the prophecy had its primary fulfillment; and was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 8:3

When I Consider thy heavens - אראה כי ki ereh ; Because I will see. He had often seen the heavens with astonishment, and he purposes to make them frequent subjects of contemplation; and he could not behold them without being affected with the skill, contrivance, and power, manifested in their formation. The work of thy fingers - What a view does this give of the majesty of God! The earth is nearly eight thousand English miles in diameter: but to form an adequate conception of its... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 8:2

Verse 2 He now enters upon the proof of the subject which he had undertaken to discourse upon, (132) declaring, that the providence of God, in order to make itself known to mankind, does not wait till men arrive at the age of maturity, but even from the very dawn of infancy shines forth so brightly as is sufficient to confute all the ungodly, who, through their profane contempt of God, would wish to extinguish his very name. (133) The opinion of some, who think that מפי, mephi, out of the... read more

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 8:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 8:3

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 8:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 8:3

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 8:2

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