The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 8
In brief
Psalm 8 is a song of David that opens and closes with the same cry: how majestic is the Lord's name in all the earth. Between the two, David looks at God's glory in the mouths of children, in the starry heavens, and then in the astonishing place given to man. Before the vastness of creation, he marvels that God remembers human beings and crowns them with glory. The New Testament also sees in it a pointer to Jesus (Hebrews 2:6-9).
The chapter in 4 parts
1Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens!
2From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength, because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger.
3When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained;
4what is man, that you think of him? What is the son of man, that you care for him?
5For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor.
6You make him ruler over the works of your hands. You have put all things under his feet:
7All sheep and cattle, yes, and the animals of the field,
8the birds of the sky, the fish of the sea, and whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
9Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Key verses
Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens!
The psalm begins with a cry of praise that returns at the end. David recognizes that God's majesty is greater than earth and heaven, and that his name is known everywhere in creation.
From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength, because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger.
God establishes his glory through the mouths of the smallest, to silence his adversaries. Jesus will quote this verse when children cheer him in the temple (Matthew 21:16).
what is man, that you think of him? What is the son of man, that you care for him?
Facing the immensity of the sky, David feels tiny and marvels that God remembers man and cares for him. This is the central question of the psalm.
For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor.
Human beings are made a little lower than God and crowned with glory. This dignity does not come from ourselves, it is a gift from the Creator. Some translators read here a little lower than the angels.
You make him ruler over the works of your hands. You have put all things under his feet: All sheep and cattle, yes, and the animals of the field, the birds of the sky, the fish of the sea, and whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
God entrusts man with responsibility over the works of his hands, animals and nature. Many read in it a call to care for creation rather than to dominate it without limit.
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Frequently asked questions about Psalm 8
What does Psalm 8 mean?
Psalm 8 celebrates God's greatness shown in creation and the astonishing place he gives to human beings. David looks at the heavens, feels small, then marvels that God has crowned him with glory and entrusted creation to him. The psalm leads from wonder to worship.
What does out of the mouth of babes mean in verse 2?
The verse says that God builds his glory on the praise of the smallest, which confounds the powerful. Jesus quotes it when children acclaim him in the temple (Matthew 21:16). The idea is that God does not need human strength: simple and sincere praise is enough to show his glory.
How can I pray or meditate on Psalm 8?
Go out and look at the sky in the evening and read the psalm slowly, repeating verse 4 aloud. Let gratitude rise as you realize that God remembers you. Finish by repeating the opening line: Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
Articles quoting Psalm 8
World English Bible translation — public domain.