3 When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have put in their places; 4 What is man, that you keep him in mind? the son of man, that you take him into account? 5 For you have made him only a little lower than the gods, crowning him with glory and honour. 6 You have made him ruler over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet; 7 All sheep and oxen, and all the beasts of the field; 8 The birds of the air and the fish of the sea, and whatever goes through the deep waters of the seas. 9 O Lord, our Lord, how noble is your name in all the earth!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 8:3-9
Commentary on Psalm 8:3-9
(Read Psalm 8:3-9)
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 dominion over the works of his hands. The greatest favour ever showed to the human race, and the greatest honour ever put upon human nature, were exemplified in the Lord Jesus. With good reason does the psalmist conclude as he began, Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth, which has been honoured with the presence of the Redeemer, and is still enlightened by his gospel, and governed by his wisdom and power! What words can reach his praises, who has a right to our obedience as our Redeemer?