Psalm 8:4

Translations

Modern

…what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?

Traditional

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Literal

…what is man that You should remember him, and the son of man, that You would attend to him?

Latin

Quid est homo, quod memor es ejus? aut filius hominis, quoniam visitas eum?

Original

Hebrew

English

…what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?

Notes

Psalms 8:4

son of man (literally son of Adam): This means "a human being." Through the influence of Daniel 7:13–14, son of man became a title with divine meaning in the New Testament. See Hebrews 2:6–8, where this passage is quoted.

Psalms 8:3–5

God’s glory is vast and awe-inspiring. At first, it might seem that people are too small or unimportant to matter to him.

Yet God has given humans honor and dignity. He has crowned them with glory and set them in charge of creation.

This shows that every person has value. Humans are called to care for and rule over the world responsibly, reflecting God’s glory in their lives.

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 Beauty in Nature Questions and Doubt The Creator-King The Glory of God

Related verses

Job 7:17
What is man that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart upon him,
Psalm 144:3
O LORD, what is man, that You regard him, the son of man that You think of him?
Hebrews 2:6–9
But somewhere it is testified in these words: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?
Psalm 146:3
Put not your trust in princes, in mortal man, who cannot save.
Luke 1:68
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.
Psalm 80:17
Let Your hand be upon the man at Your right hand, on the son of man You have raised up for Yourself.
Genesis 21:1
Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised.
2 Chronicles 6:18
But will God indeed dwell with man upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.
Isaiah 51:12
“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass?
Job 25:6
…how much less man, who is but a maggot, and the son of man, who is but a worm!”
Matthew 8:20
Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”
Psalm 106:4
Remember me, O LORD, in Your favor to Your people; visit me with Your salvation,

Glossary

Adam (Person) Creation David Gittith Heaven Hebrews, Letter to the Jesus Christ, Teachings of Music Presence of God Psalms, Book of Son of Man

Topics

Condescension of God: Scriptures Relating To Creation: Insignificance of Man Seen From God: Goodness of God: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Humility: Exemplified Man: Insignificance of Man: Unworthy of God's Favour Nature Outer Space Religion: Natural The Universe

Psalm 8:4

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