Saturday, June 12, 2021

Psalm 8, annotated

This is from the New Jerusalem Bible. The bolded hyperlink will take you to additional translations. 

Information about the meaning the original Hebrew of what seem to be key words is provided in blue

Excerpts collected in yellow  at the end of this post tell us something about God’s nature or our relationship to Him. 

Excerpts collected in green  at the end of this post tell us about something God wants us to do. 

Psalm 8

1 [For the choirmaster On the . . . of Gath Psalm Of David]

Yahweh our Lord, how majestic is your name throughout the world! 

Whoever keeps singing of your majesty higher than the heavens,2 even through the mouths of children, or of babes in arms, you make him a fortress, firm against your foes, to subdue the enemy and the rebel.

3 I look up at your heavens, shaped by your fingers, at the moon and the stars you set firm-4 what are human beings that you spare a thought for them, or the child of Adam that you care for him?

5 Yet you have made him little less than a god, you have crowned him with glory and beauty,6 made him lord of the works of your hands, put all things under his feet,7 sheep and cattle, all of them, and even the wild beasts,8 birds in the sky, fish in the sea, when he makes his way across the ocean.

9 Yahweh our Lord, how majestic your name throughout the world! 

majestic = אַדִּיר = 'adîr

Blue Letter Bible

Great; excellent, famous, gallant, glorious, goodly, lordly, mighty(-ier one), noble, principal, worthy; powerful, illustrious; noble 

name = שֵׁם= šēm

Blue Letter Bible

reputation, fame, glory; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality, by implication honor, authority, character; renown, report; good name, good reputation 

majesty = הוֹד = hôḏ

Blue Letter Bible

splendour, vigour; grandeur (i.e. an imposing form and appearance):—beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honour; freshness, beauty;

look up at = רָאָה= rā'â

Blue Letter Bible

to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider; learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out; consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish; gaze at;enjoy, have experience, take heed; indeed; spy, stare; enjoy the light; be pleased with the sight; provide or care for, go to see

 

What this scripture tells us about God/His ways:

how majestic is your name 

throughout the world! 

your majesty higher than the heavens,

you make him a fortress, firm against your foes, to subdue the enemy and the rebel

your heavens, shaped by your fingers

the moon and the stars you set firm-

you have made him little less than a god, you have crowned him with glory and beauty

made him lord of the works of your hands

put all things under his feet

how majestic your name 

throughout the world!

What this scripture tells us to do:

keep[] singing of your majesty

look up at your heavens

Scriptures addressing similar principles are collected at Wisdom Principles: Rely on God, not Material Power or Wealth and Wisdom Principles—God is Supreme Over All Human Power/Plans

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