---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Psalms 8"
description: "PSALM 8   :-. Upon [or according to the] Gittith, probably
means that the musical performance was directed to be according to a
tune of that name; which,"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/psalms/8"
---

PSALM 8

. *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
[[Psalms 8:1](../../../kjv/psalms/8/1); [Psalms 81:1](../../../kjv/psalms/81/1);
[Psalms 84:1](../../../kjv/psalms/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
([Psalms 5:11](../../../kjv/psalms/5/11); [Psalms 7:17](../../../kjv/psalms/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 [Matthew 21:16](../../../kjv/matthew/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 [Matthew 21:16](../../../kjv/matthew/21/16) (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 [1 Samuel 1:22-24](../../../kjv/1-samuel/1/22-24);
[Mark 7:27](../../../kjv/mark/7/27)).
**ordained**—founded, or
prepared, and perfected, which occurs in [Mark 7:27](../../../kjv/mark/7/27); 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 [Mark 7:27](../../../kjv/mark/7/27)).
**avenger**—as in [Mark 7:27](../../../kjv/mark/7/27); 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 (). 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 ([Psalms 21:5](../../../kjv/psalms/21/5);
[Psalms 45:3](../../../kjv/psalms/45/3)). The position assigned
man is that described ([Psalms 45:3](../../../kjv/psalms/45/3)) 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 ([Hebrews 2:6-8](../../../kjv/hebrews/2/6-8);
[1 Corinthians 15:27](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/15/27); [1 Corinthians 15:28](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/15/28))
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" [[Hebrews 2:15](../../../kjv/hebrews/2/15)],
"shall be destroyed" [[Hebrews 2:15](../../../kjv/hebrews/2/15)]. Then *all things* will have been put under his feet,
"principalities and powers being made subject to him" [[Hebrews 2:15](../../../kjv/hebrews/2/15)]. 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, by no other of His glorious manifestations has God more
illustriously 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.

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