It is worthy of remark, that when, at the original creation, the first man was invested with sovereignty in his state of innocency, the grant of dominion ran in those words, Genesis 1:28 . How delightful it is to see that sovereignty regained in the person of him who, by his wonderful undertaking, hath restored all things, and to whom all power is given in heaven and in earth. Matthew 28:18-19 . read more
All sheep. St. Paul did not judge it necessary to specify these things, as they are included in the word all. (Berthier) These tame cattle designate the believing Jews; beasts, the Gentile converts; birds, the proud; fishes, the voluptuous. (St. Athanasius) --- The birds may also be put for men of genius, who dive into the secrets of theology; and fishes, for anxious worldlings. (Hesychius) --- Sts. Augustine and Jerome understand that people who labour not for their salvation, or who are... read more
3-9 We are to consider the heavens, that man thus may be directed to set his affections on things above. What is man, so mean a creature, that he should be thus honoured! so sinful a creature, that he should be thus favoured! Man has sovereign dominion over the inferior creatures, under God, and is appointed their lord. This refers to Christ. In Hebrews 2:6-8, the apostle, to prove the sovereign dominion of Christ, shows he is that Man, that Son of man, here spoken of, whom God has made to have... read more
The Glory of Messiah's Name. To the chief musician, for liturgical performance, upon Gittith, a form of zither, named from the Philistine city of Gath, where the author had lived for some time. A psalm of David. v. 1. O Lord, our Lord, Jehovah, our Ruler, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth! The congregation here praises the imprint and evidence of God's being, both in the works of creation and in the miracles of redemption. Who hast set Thy glory above the heavens, on the entire... read more
Psalms 8:0To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David.1 O Lord our Lord,How excellent is thy name in all the earth!Who hast set thy glory above the heavens.2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strengthBecause of thine enemies,That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers,The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him?And the... read more
God’s Glory in Man’s Headship Psalms 8:1-9 This exquisite ode can reach perfect fulfillment only in our Lord, Hebrews 2:6-9 . It was evidently composed at night, and probably dates from the early shepherd days, when wild creatures crept around the fold and night-birds screamed above, reminding the singer of the animal world over which man was meant to reign. The ascription of Psalms 8:1-2 is very fine. Christ is so mighty that when His strength is given to babes they vanquish and silence... read more
This is a great song of worship. It opens and closes with the same words. These words enclose the psalm, and create its burden. The matters between are proofs of the opening and closing statements. They are two. The manifestation of Jehovah's excellencies in nature and man. These are first briefly stated (1,2), and then more particularly described (3-8). The principal manifestation is in man, which is revealed in both sections. The outlook on nature is toward the encompassing heaven, all the... read more
‘You made him to have dominion over the works of your hands, You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen, Yes, and beasts of the field, The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.’ The idea is based on Genesis 1:21-28; Genesis 2:19-20. The word in Genesis for ‘have dominion’ has the root meaning of ‘tread under foot’. Note that cattle, wild animals, birds and fish are all included, finally also including the great sea monsters... read more
VIII. A Nature Psalm. Psalms 8:1 f. The majesty of God. In Matthew 2 defies the rudiments of Heb. grammar and all attempt at translation. Of many emendations the following is the most ingenious and does least violence to the text, “ Let me sing, I pray thee, of thy glory above the heavens, [though] with the mouth of babes and sucklings. Thou hast founded a stronghold because of thine enemies, to still the foe and the avenger.” The reference may be to the chaotic power of darkness dispelled by... read more
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The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Psalms 8:1-9
Psalms 8:0 [Note. One critic has called this a lyric echo of the first chapter of Genesis. The best critics do not doubt the Davidic authorship. The word "Gittith" in the title is rendered by the LXX. and Vulgate "for the winepresses." Another derivation makes it a kind of flute. Other critics think that the most probable explanation connects it with Gath, the Philistine town. According to a Talmudic paraphrase, "upon Gittith" should be read, "on the kinnor which was brought from Gath," thus... read more