The Book of Psalms
Psalm 8
Psalm VIII · Vol. II, pp. 991–992
God's glory is magnified by his works, and by his love to man.
To the chief musician upon aGittith, A psalm of David.
1 O LORD our Lord, bhow excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
B.C. cir. 1060.
a Ps.lxxxi.; 84. title, with 1 Sa.xvii.
b Ex.34.6,7. De.28.58. Is.12.4,5. Ps.72.17-19; 113.4-6; 148.13. Phi.2.9-11.
2 Outc of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained1 strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest dstill the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I econsider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;2
e Ps.111.2; 19.1-6. Job 36.24. Ge.2.1.
2 The pure air and cloudless sky of Palestine make the starry heaven a scene of wondrous beauty and glory. We cannot in this country form any just conception of the brilliancy of the stars and the soft mellow radiance of the moon. David was a shepherd. During the mild nights of summer he watched his flocks in the wilderness of Judah. How natural then that he, in these noble odes, should celebrate the splendour of the starry skies!—P.
5 Forh thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6 Thoui madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
i Ge.1.28. Mat.11.27; 28.18. 1 Co.15.27. Ep.1.20-22. 1 Pe.3.22. He.1.2. Jn.3.35; 17.2.
7 All sheep and oxen,3 yea, and the beasts of the field;4
3 Heb. Flocks and oxen all of them. All animals, wild and tame.
4 Here again the reminiscences of shepherd life show themselves. The sheep and the oxen of the flocks and herds were subject to man; and even the wild beasts which preyed upon the flocks, but which the shepherd by his watchfulness and courage was able to drive away.—P.
8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
Notes
Ver. 1. The excellence of the name of God always appears in its full development of such grace as the believer requires under his peculiar circumstances. Thus to Abraham (Ge. 17. 1) it was 'the Almighty God,' when his defenceless state constantly suggested the need of protection. Again to Moses in the solitudes of Horeb (Ex. 3. 14) it was 'I Am,' when the changes of years suggested the excellence of an unchanging God. But to that same Moses, in the midst of the 'thousands of Israel,' the name is expanded, as it were, to embrace all the necessities of the time, and assure the faith of Moses in discharge of his arduous duties, Ex. 34. 6, 7. And when, in the fulness of the time, God hath sent forth his Son (Ga. 4. 4), and the Spirit of his Son (Ga. 4. 6), the excellence of his name is still further manifested in the baptismal title and the apostolical benediction, revealing and glorifying Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Mat. 28. 19; 2 Co. 13. 14. C.
Ver. 5. A little lower than the angels. The quotation of ver. 2 by our Lord, Mat. 11. 25; He. 2. 6, 7, evidences, beyond all doubt, that it is a description of Christ. C.
Reflections.—How glorious is the name of our exalted Immanuel, and of God in him! Quickly shall his kingdom fill both heaven and earth, however despicable its oracles, ordinances, and professors now appear to a carnal world. By the weakest instruments he accomplishes his greatest purposes, displays his power and grace, and treads and triumphs over Satan and his votaries. The glories of nature, but especially the graces of redemption, should continually lead our hearts to the contemplation of their glorious Author. How astonishing is it to see so many creatures subjected to miserable man; and especially to behold them all subjected to the once lowly Christ!