Psa 8 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ps 8:1-9: Ps 8 Psalm 8 opens the second segment of Book One (Pss 8–14 ). The psalmist celebrates God’s creation and the dignity of the ideal human being (see Ps 1 ). Instead of the world of enemies, wicked people, and distorted justice that is presented in Pss 3–7 , this psalm promotes an image of the world as God originally created it. A weary person can envision a place of dignity in God’s world. 8:1 The Lord (Hebrew Yahweh ), the covenant God of Israel (Exod 3:15 ), also holds the title of Lord (Hebrew ’adonay ), the king of the earth. • The word translated majestic (sometimes translated “mighty”) can describe kings (Ps 136:18 ), heroes (16:3 ), mountains (76:4 ), or waves breaking on the seashore (93:4 ). While all are awe-inspiring and mighty, the created order pales in comparison with the Lord. • A person’s name embodies their reputation. • The earth and the heavens reveal the Lord’s splendor. All creation worships and praises the Lord (66:4 ; 113:3 ; 145:21 ).

Summary for Ps 8:1-9: Ps 8 ^a Psalm 8 ^b opens the second segment of Book One (Pss 8–14 ^c). The psalmist celebrates God’s creation and the dignity of the ideal human being (see Ps 1 ^d). Instead of the world of enemies, wicked people, and distorted justice that is presented in Pss 3–7 ^e, this psalm promotes an image of the world as God originally created it. A weary person can envision a place of dignity in God’s world. 8:1 ^f The Lord (Hebrew Yahweh), the covenant God of Israel (Exod 3:15 ^g), also holds the title of Lord (Hebrew ’adonay), the king of the earth.

• The word translated majestic (sometimes translated “mighty”) can describe kings (Ps 136:18 ^h), heroes (16:3 ⁱ), mountains (76:4 ^j), or waves breaking on the seashore (93:4 ^k). While all are awe-inspiring and mighty, the created order pales in comparison with the Lord.

• A person’s name embodies their reputation.

• The earth and the heavens reveal the Lord’s splendor. All creation worships and praises the Lord (66:4 ^l; 113:3 ^m; 145:21 ⁿ).
8:2 ^o silencing: The loud noise of the oppressors contrasts with the praise of God. In the end, the praise of God will overwhelm the sound of evil (31:18 ^p; 63:11 ^q; 101:5 ^r; 143:12 ^s).

• Those who oppose God seethe with vindictive anger (2:1-3 ^t; 44:16 ^u; cp. 149:6-7 ^v).
Summary for Ps 8:3-5: 8:3-5 ^w In light of God’s awesome glory, it might seem that people would be insignificant to him. However, he has crowned them with glory and honor and placed them over all creation. 8:3 ^x The nations around Israel worshiped heavenly objects as deities. The sun, moon, and stars are indeed immense and glorious, but they are merely the work of your fingers, a reason to praise the Almighty.
8:4 ^y human beings (literally son of Adam): The Hebrew idiom son of man (or son of Adam) means a human being. Through the influence of Dan 7:13-14 ^z, it became a title with divine overtones in the New Testament. See Heb 2:6-8 ^aa, where this passage is quoted.
8:5 ^ab Yet you made them only a little lower than God: Humans bear God’s image; the Lord has endowed humans with dignity and charged them to rule (Gen 1:26-27 ^ac). Hebrews 2:6-8 ^ad applies these words to Jesus Christ, the ideal human who fully realized God’s purposes.
8:6 ^ae gave them charge of everything: The psalmist is still referring to humans in general. Paul applies these words to Jesus as the perfect man who has made the created order—even death (1 Cor 15:25-27 ^af)—subject to God and his glory. The New Testament connects these themes of creation and salvation with Jesus Christ (John 1:1-2 ^ag, 14 ^ah; Col 1:16 ^ai).
Summary for Ps 8:7-8: 8:7-8 ^aj Wild animals, including birds and fish, remind readers of God’s creation of the animal world in Gen 1 ^ak. Contrary to beliefs among Israel’s neighbors in the ancient Near East, animals are not sacred.