Psalm 8[a]

For the director of music. According to gittith.[b] A psalm of David.

Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name(A) in all the earth!

You have set your glory(B)
    in the heavens.(C)
Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold(D) against your enemies,
    to silence the foe(E) and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens,(F)
    the work of your fingers,(G)
the moon and the stars,(H)
    which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?[c](I)

You have made them[d] a little lower than the angels[e](J)
    and crowned them[f] with glory and honor.(K)
You made them rulers(L) over the works of your hands;(M)
    you put everything under their[g] feet:(N)
all flocks and herds,(O)
    and the animals of the wild,(P)
the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,(Q)
    all that swim the paths of the seas.

Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!(R)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 8:1 In Hebrew texts 8:1-9 is numbered 8:2-10.
  2. Psalm 8:1 Title: Probably a musical term
  3. Psalm 8:4 Or what is a human being that you are mindful of him, / a son of man that you care for him?
  4. Psalm 8:5 Or him
  5. Psalm 8:5 Or than God
  6. Psalm 8:5 Or him
  7. Psalm 8:6 Or made him ruler . . . ; / . . . his

The Lords Glory and Mankind’s Dignity.

For the music director; on the Gittith. A Psalm of David.

Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth,
You who have [a](A)displayed Your splendor above the heavens!
(B)From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have established [b](C)strength
Because of Your enemies,
To do away with (D)the enemy and the revengeful.

When I [c](E)consider (F)Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The (G)moon and the stars, which You have set in place;
(H)What is man that You think of him,
And a son of man that You are concerned about him?
Yet You have made him a (I)little lower than [d]God,
And (J)You crown him with (K)glory and majesty!
You have him (L)rule over the works of Your hands;
You have (M)put everything under his feet,
All sheep and oxen,
And also the animals of the field,
The birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea,
Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.

(N)Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 8:1 Lit put
  2. Psalm 8:2 Or a strength
  3. Psalm 8:3 Or see
  4. Psalm 8:5 LXX angels

(A psalm by David for the music leader.[a])

The Wonderful Name of the Lord

Our Lord and Ruler,
your name is wonderful
    everywhere on earth!
You let your glory be seen[b]
    in the heavens above.
(A) With praises from children
and from tiny infants,
    you have built a fortress.
It makes your enemies silent,
and all who turn against you
    are left speechless.

I often think of the heavens
    your hands have made,
and of the moon and stars
    you put in place.
(B) Then I ask, “Why do you care
    about us humans?
Why are you concerned
    for us weaklings?”
(C) You made us a little lower
    than you yourself,[c]
and you have crowned us
    with glory and honor.

(D) You let us rule everything
    your hands have made.
And you put all of it
    under our power—
the sheep and the cattle,
    and every wild animal,
the birds in the sky,
the fish in the sea,
    and all ocean creatures.

Our Lord and Ruler,
your name is wonderful
    everywhere on earth!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 8 leader: The Hebrew text adds “according to the gittith,” which may refer to either a musical instrument or a tune.
  2. 8.1 You … seen: Or “I will worship your glory.”
  3. 8.5 you yourself: Or “the angels” or “the beings in heaven.”