Keraia
Psalm 8

Psalm 8:1

How Majestic Is Your Name! · Psalm 8:1–9
Read Psalm 8

Translations

Modern
For the choirmaster. According to Gittith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens.
Traditional
To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
Literal
For the one directing. According to Gittith. A Psalm of David. O YHWH our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your splendor above the heavens!
Latin
In finem, pro torcularibus. Psalmus David. Domine, Dominus noster, quam admirabile est nomen tuum in universa terra! quoniam elevata est magnificentia tua super cælos.

Original

Hebrew
English
For the choirmaster. According to Gittith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens.

Notes

Psalms 8:1

  • The LORD (Hebrew Yahweh) is the covenant God of Israel (Exodus 3:15). This name emphasizes God’s faithfulness and relationship with his people.

    He is also Lord (Hebrew ’adonay), which emphasizes his authority. As Lord, he is the king over the earth and all creation.

  • The word translated as majestic (and sometimes mighty) can describe:

    While all these things are awe-inspiring and mighty, they are less impressive than the Lord.

  • A person’s name represents their reputation.

  • The earth and the heavens reveal the Lord’s splendor. All creation worships and praises the Lord (Psalm 66:4; 113:3; 145:21).

Psalms 8:1–9

Psalm 8 begins the second part of Book One of the Psalms (Psalms 8–14). The psalmist praises God’s creation and the dignity of the ideal human (see Psalm 1). Instead of the world of enemies, wicked people, and unfair justice shown in Psalms 3–7, this psalm presents the world as God first made it. Someone who is tired (both physically and emotionally) can imagine a place of dignity in God’s world.

Theme notes and profiles

David The Creator-King

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Gittith: A musical term in the superscriptions of Psalms

Glossary

Chant Creation David Gittith God, Being and Attributes of Heaven Hebrews, Letter to the Music Presence of God Psalms, Book of

Topics

Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: Preservation Glory of God: Highly Exalted God: Goodness of Music: Instruments of Gittith, a Stringed Instrument Praise for God's Attributes Psalms: Praise for God's Attributes Religion: Natural Select Readings: Mankind in Nature The Glory of God: Highly Exalted