Bible Commentaries
Psalms 8

Verse 1

Title. A Psalm. See App-65 .

LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Thy name: i.e. Jehovah Himself; "name" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for His character, person, and attributes. See Psalms 20:1 . Compare Psalms 5:11 .

the earth: i.e. the great subject of this Psalm. See note on verses: Psalms 8:4 , Psalms 8:6 .

glory = majesty, or excellence.

Verse 2

Out of, &c. Quoted in Matthew 21:16 .

babes. Referring to his own youth. A still more definite reference to 1 Samuel 17:14 , 1 Samuel 17:33 , 1 Samuel 17:42 , 1 Samuel 17:55 , 1 Samuel 17:56 .

ordained = appointed. Hebrew. yasad.

strength. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject) for the praise due for what is put forth by it.

enemies = adversaries.

enemy = foe.

avenger = the revenger.

Verse 3

work. The Western Massorites ( App-30 ), with Septuagint and Vulgate, read "works" (plural)

fingers. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

ordained = established. Hebrew. kun.

Verse 4

What. . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . Quoted in Hebrews 2:5-8 . Compare 1 Corinthians 15:27 and Ephesians 1:22 .

man = mortal man. Hebrew. 'enosh.

mindful . . . visitest. Figure of speech Anabasis.

the son of man. No Art. Occurs 3 times before this (Numbers 23:19 . Job 25:6 ; Job 35:8 ). In singular 111 times in O.T. and 39 times in plural (the other occurrences in the Pss. (Psalms 49:2 ; Psalms 144:3 ) is a different word). Here, Psalms 8:4 , the title relates to dominion in the earth. Compare verses: Psa 1:6-9 , and see notes on Ezekiel 2:1 , Matthew 8:20 , and Revelation 14:4 .

man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 5

the angels. Hebrew. Elohim. See App-4 . Rendered "angels" in Hebrews 2:7 ; also here, in Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac, and Arabic. See also Psalms 97:7 . Hebrews 1:6 .

crowned, &c. This refers to "the second man". See notes on Hebrews 2:8 , and 2 Peter 1:17 .

Verse 6

him: i.e. the "first man", Adam (Genesis 1:26 ).

dominion, &c. This he lost in the Fall.

works. Some codices, with three early printed editions and Syriac, read "work" (singular)

hands. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

hast = didst. See Genesis 1:26 .

all things. Six are enumerated in Psalms 8:7 and Psalms 8:8 . (The number of man. See App-10 .)

To the chief Musician. See App-64 .

upon Muth-labben = relating to the death of the champion (Goliath). Compare 1 Samuel 17:4 , 1 Samuel 17:46 , &c, and 144, which has, in the Septuagint,