Psalm 8

Contemporary English Version

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

The Wonderful Name of the Lord

¹Our Lord and Ruler,
your name is wonderful
    everywhere on earth!
You let your glory be seen^[b]
    in the heavens above.
²^(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.

³I often think of the heavens
    your hands have made,
and of the moon and stars
    you put in place.
⁴^(B) Then I ask, “Why do you care
    about us humans?
Why are you concerned
    for us weaklings?”
⁵^(C) You made us a little lower
    than you yourself,^[c]
and you have crowned us
    with glory and honor.

⁶^(D) You let us rule everything
    your hands have made.
And you put all of it
    under our power—
⁷the sheep and the cattle,
    and every wild animal,
⁸the birds in the sky,
the fish in the sea,
    and all ocean creatures.

⁹Our Lord and Ruler,
your name is wonderful
everywhere on earth!

Footnotes

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