Psalms 8

Ps 8:1-9.

Upon [or according to the] Gittith, probably means that the

musical performance was directed to be according to a tune of that

name; which, derived from Gath, a "wine-press," denotes a tune

(used in connection with gathering the vintage) of a joyous character.

All the Psalms to which this term is prefixed

[Ps 8:1; 81:1; 84:1]

are of such a character. The Psalmist gives vent to his admiration of

God's manifested perfections, by celebrating His condescending and

beneficent providence to man as evinced by the position of the race, as

originally created and assigned a dominion over the works of His

hands.

1. thy name--perfections

(Ps 5:11; 7:17).

who hast set--literally, "which set Thou Thy glory," &c., or

"which glory of Thine set Thou," &c., that is, make it more conspicuous

as if earth were too small a theater for its display. A similar

exposition suits the usual rendering.

2. So manifest are God's perfections, that by very weak instruments

He conclusively sets forth His praise. Infants are not only wonderful

illustrations of God's power and skill, in their physical constitution,

instincts, and early developed intelligence, but also in their

spontaneous admiration of God's works, by which they put to shame--

still--or, silence men who rail and cavil against God. A special

illustration of the passage is afforded in

Mt 21:16,

when our Saviour stilled the cavillers by quoting these words;

for the glories with which God invested His incarnate Son, even in His

humiliation, constitute a most wonderful display of the perfections of

His wisdom, love, and power. In view of the scope of

Ps 8:4-8

(see below), this quotation by our Saviour may be regarded as an

exposition of the prophetical character of the words.

sucklings--among the Hebrews were probably of an age to speak (compare

1Sa 1:22-24;

Mr 7:27).

ordained--founded, or prepared, and perfected, which occurs in

Mt 21:16;

taken from the Septuagint, has the same meaning.

strength--In the quotation in the New Testament, praise occurs as

the consequence or effect put for the cause (compare

Ps 118:14).

avenger--as in

Ps 44:16;

one desirous of revenge, disposed to be quarrelsome, and so apt to

cavil against God's government.

3, 4. The allusion to the magnificence of the visible heavens is

introduced for the purpose of illustrating God's condescension, who,

though the mighty Creator of these glorious worlds of light, makes man

the object of regard and recipient of favor.

4. man--literally, "frail man," an allusion to his essential infirmity.

son of man--only varies the form of speech.

visitest--in favor

(Ps 65:10).

This favor is now more fully illustrated.

5-8. God has placed man next in dignity to angels, and but a little

lower, and has crowned him with the empire of the world.

glory and honour--are the attributes of royal dignity

(Ps 21:5; 45:3).

The position assigned man is that described

(Ge 1:26-28)

as belonging to Adam, in his original condition, the terms employed in

detailing the subjects of man's dominion corresponding with those there

used. In a modified sense, in his present fallen state, man is still

invested with some remains of this original dominion. It is very

evident, however, by the apostle's inspired expositions

(Heb 2:6-8;

1Co 15:27, 28)

that the language here employed finds its fulfilment only in the final

exaltation of Christ's human nature. There is no limit to the "all

things" mentioned, God only excepted, who "puts all things under." Man,

in the person and glorious destiny of Jesus of Nazareth, the second

Adam, the head and representative of the race, will not only be

restored to his original position, but exalted far beyond it. "The last

enemy, death," through fear of which, man, in his present estate, is

"all his lifetime in bondage"

[Heb 2:15],

"shall be destroyed"

[1Co 15:26].

Then all things will have been put under his feet,

"principalities and powers being made subject to him"

[1Pe 3:22].

This view, so far from being alien from the scope of the passage, is

more consistent than any other; for man as a race cannot well be

conceived to have a higher honor put upon him than to be thus exalted

in the person and destiny of Jesus of Nazareth. And at the same time,

declared those attributes which distinguish His name than in the scheme

of redemption, of which this economy forms such an important and

essential feature. In the generic import of the language, as describing

man's present relation to the works of God's hands, it may be regarded

as typical, thus allowing not only the usual application, but also this

higher sense which the inspired writers of the New Testament have

assigned it.

9. Appropriately, the writer closes this brief but pregnant and

sublime song of praise with the terms of admiration with which it was

opened.