Bible Commentaries

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.

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.

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

fingers. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6.

ordained = established. Hebrew. kun.

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: Psalms 1:6-9, and see notes on Ezekiel 2:1, Matthew 8:20, and Revelation 14:4.

man. Hebrew. "adam. App-14.

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.

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,