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PSALMS OF DAVID

TRANSLATIONS IN ENGLISH

1530 2010

Paul AS Harvey

Penname: Stean Anthony

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Paul AS Harvey (Stean Anthony): Lectures on the Psalms in English versions 1535-2010. [Revised Lecture Nov 2015]

Psalm Eight Text and Notes.

Versions of Psalms

Miles Coverdale 1535

King James 1611

Philip Sidney c 1580

Sternhold and Hopkins 1562

Tate and Brady 1696

George Sandys 1636

John Milton c 1650

Scottish Psalter 1650

Charles Wesley c 1730

Isaac Watts c 1710

Spurgeon ed. Our Own Hymn Book 1866 Spirit of the Psalms

Psalter United Presbyterian Ch. of N. America 1887

Christopher Webber 1986 -

Psalms for All Seasons 2012 -

Modern Translation of the Psalm Episcopal Psalm

Marot & Beze Genevan Psalms c 1550, 1729 (French)

LXX Septuaginta

Miles Coverdale (1535, 1662) BCP Psalm 8:

(copy used from a PDF file modern-spelling edition of Psalms,the Coverdale translation edited by W. S. Peterson and Valerie Macys.)

Domine, Dominus noster

1 O Lord our Governor, how excellent is thy Name in all the world. Thou that hast set thy glory above the heavens!

2 Out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength, because of thine enemies, that thou

mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

3 For I will consider thy heavens, even the works of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained.

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

5 Thou madest him lower than the angels, to crown him with glory and worship.

6 Thou makest him to have dominion of the works of thy hands; and thouhast put all things in subjection under his feet

7 all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field,

8 the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea, and whatsoever walketh through the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord our Governor, how excellent is thy Name in all the world!

King James (1611) Psalm 8:

To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David.

1 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still

the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained,

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

5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands, thou hast put all things under his feet,

7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field,

8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

Sternhold and Hopkins H&S (1562) Psalm 8:

1 O God our Lord, how wonderful are thy works everywhere!

Thy fame surmounts in dignity the highest heavens that are.

2 Een by the mouth of sucking babes thou wilt confound thy foes,

For in those babes thy might is seen, thy graces they disclose.

3 And when I see the heavens above, the work of thine own hand,

The sun, the moon, and all the stars, in order as they stand,

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4 Lord, what is man, that thou of him takst such abundant care!

Or what the son of man, whom thou to visit dost not spare!

5 For thou hast made him little less than angels in degree,

And thou hast also crowned him with glorious dignity.

6 Thou hast preferred him to be lord of all thy works, and thou

Hast in subjection unto him put all things here below.

7 As sheep, and neat, and all beasts else that in the fields do feed,

Fowls of the air, fish of the sea, and all that therein breed.

8 O God our Lord, how excellent is thy most glorious Name

In all the earth! Therefore do we praise and adore the same.

Tate and Brady T&B (1696) Psalm 8:

1 O Thou, to whom all creatures bow

Within this earthly frame,

Thro all the world how great art thou,

How glorious is thy Name.

In heaven thy wondrous acts are sung,

Nor fully reckoned there;

2 And yet thou makst the infant tongue

Thy boundless praise declare.

Thro thee the weak confound the strong,

And crush their haughty foes,

And so thou quellest the wicked throng,

That thee and thine oppose.

3 When heaven, thy beauteous work on high

Employs my wondering sight,

The moon that nightly rules the sky

With stars of feebler light.

4 Whats man, say I, that Lord thou lovest

To keep him in thy mind?

Or what his offspring, that thou provest

To them so wondrous kind?

5 Him next in power thou didst create

To thy celestial train;

6 Ordained with dignity and state

Oer all thy works to reign.

7 They jointly own his powerful sway,

The beasts that prey or graze.

8 The bird that wings its airy way;

The fish that cuts the seas.

9 O thou, to whom all creatures bow

Within this earthly frame,

Thro all the world how great art thou!

How glorious is thy Name.

Henry Howard Earl of Surrey (c. 1530?) Psalm 8:

Poulter metre (12|14)

But yet among all these I ask, What thing is man?

Whose turn to serve in his poor need this work thou first began.

Or what is Adams son that bears his fathers mark?

For whose delight and comfort eke Thou hast wrought all this work.

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I see thou mindst him much, that dost reward him so:

Being but earth to rule the earth, whereon himself doth go.

Philip Sidney (c. 1580) Psalm 8:

O Lord, that rulst our mortal line

How through the world thy name doth shine!

That hast of thine unmatchd glory

Upon the heavens engraven the story.

From sucklings hath thy honour sprung,

Thy force hath flowed from babies tongue:

Whereby thou stoppst thine enemies prating

Bent to revenge and ever-hating.

When I upon the heavens do look,

Which all from thee their essence took;

When moon and stars, my thoughts beholdeth,

Whose life no life, but of thee holdeth;

Then think I: Ah, what is this man

Whom that great God remember can?

And what the race of him descended

It should be aught of God attended?

For though in less than angels state

Thou planted hast this earthly mate:

Yet hast thou made even him an owner

Of glorious crown, and crowning honour.

Thou placest him upon all lands

To rule the works of thine own hands:

And so thou hast all things ordaind,

That even his feet have on them reignd.

Thou under his dominion placed

Both sheep and oxen wholly hast:

And all the beasts for ever breeding,

Which in the fertile fields be feeding.

The bird, free-burgess of the air,

The fish, of sea the native heir,

And what things else of waters traceth

The unworn paths, his rule embraceth.

O Lord that rulst our mortal line,

How through the world thy name doth shine!

John Milton (1653) Psalm 8:

omitted

George Sandys (1578-1644) from Paraphrases Upon the Psalms (1636) Psalm 7:

Lord! How illustrious is thy Name!

Whose power both heaven and earth proclaim!

Thy glory thou hast set on high

Above the marble-arched sky.

The wonders of thy power thou hast

In mouths of babes and sucklings placed

That so thou mightst thy foes confound

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And who in malice most abound.

When I pure heaven, thy fabric, see

The moon and stars disposed by thee

O what is man, or his frail race

That thou shouldst such a shadow grace?

Next to thy angels most renowned

With majesty and glory crowned

The king of all thy creatures made

That all beneath his feet hath laid:

All that on dales or mountains feed

That shady woods and desert breed

What in the airy region glide

Or through the rolling oceans slide.

Lord! How illustrious is thy name!

Whose power both heaven and earth proclaim.

Isaac Watts (c. 1710) Psalm 8:

O Lord, our heavenly King,

Thy name is all divine;

Thy glories round the earth are spread,

And o'er the heavens they shine.

When to thy works on high

I raise my wondering eyes,

And see the moon, complete in light,

Adorn the darksome skies

When I survey the stars,

And all their shining forms,

Lord, what is man, that worthless thing,

Akin to dust and worms?

Lord, what is worthless man,

That thou shouldst love him so?

Next to thine angels is he placed,

And lord of all below.

Thine honors crown his head,

While beasts, like slaves, obey;

And birds that cut the air with wings,

And fish that cleave the sea.

How rich thy bounties are!

And wondrous are thy ways

Of dust and worms thy power can frame

A monument of praise.

Out of the mouths of babes

And sucklings thou canst draw

Surprising honors to thy name,

And strike the world with awe.

O Lord, our heavenly King,

Thy name is all divine;

Thy glories round the earth are spread,

And o'er the heavens they shine.

Charles Wesley (c. 1730) Psalms of David (London, 1854) Psalm 8:

A few verses, note Christian emphasis

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1 Sovereign, everlasting Lord,

How excellent thy name!

Held in being by thy word,

Thee all thy works proclaim.

Through this earth thy glories shine,

Through those dazzling worlds above,

All confess the Source Divine,

The Almighty God of love!

4 What is man, that thou, O Lord,

Hast such respect to him?

Comes from heaven the incarnate Word,

His creature to redeem.

Wherefore wouldst thou stoop so low?

Who the mystery shall explain?

God is flesh, all lives below,

And dies for wretched man.

5 Jesus his Redeemer dies

The sinner to restore,

Falls that man again may rise

And stand as heretofore.

Foremost of created things,

Head of all thy works he stood,

Nearest the great King of Kings,

And little less than God!

6 Him with glorious majesty

Thy grace vouchsafed to crown;

Transcript of the One-in-Three,

He in thine image shone.

All thy works for him were made,

All did to his sway submit.

Fishes, birds, and beasts obeyed,

And bowed beneath his feet.

Scottish Psalter (1650 revised 1880) Psalm 8:

1st version

1 How excellent in all the earth,

Lord, our Lord, is thy name!

Who hast thy glory far advanced

Above the starry frame.

2 From infants' and from sucklings' mouth

Thou power didst ordain,

Because of foes, that so thou mightst

The vengeful foe restrain.

3 When I look up unto thy heavens,

Which thine own fingers framed,

Unto the moon and to the stars,

Which were by thee ordained;

4 Then say I, What is man, that he

Bemembered is by thee?

Or what the son of man, that thou

So kind to him shouldst be?

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5 For thou a little lower hast

Him than the angels made;

With glory and with dignity

Thou crowned hast his head.

6 Of thy hands' works thou madest him lord;

All 'neath his feet didst lay,

7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and beasts

That in the field do stray;

8 Fowl of the air, fish of the sea,

All that pass through the same.

9 How excellent in all the earth,

Lord, our Lord, is thy name!

2nd version

1 O Lord, our Lord, how excellent

In all the earth thy name!

Who hast thy glory set above

The starry frame.

2 From infants and from sucklings mouths

Is strength by thee ordained,

That so the avenger may be quelled,

The foe restrained.

3 When I behold thy spacious heavens,

The work of thine own hand,

The moon and stars in order set

By thy command;

4 O, what is man, that thou shouldst him

In kind remembrance bear?

Or what the son of man, that thou

For him shouldst care?

5 For thou a little lower hast

Him than the angels made;

With honour and with glory thou

Hast crowned his head.

6 Lord of thy works thou hast him made:

All unto him must yield,

All sheep and oxen, yea, and beasts

Which roam the field,

7 Fowl of the air, fish of the sea,

All that pass through the same.

O Lord, our Lord, in all the earth

How great is thy name!

Isaac Watts (1719) (differs from version above) printed in Charles H. Spurgeon, (Our Own Hymn Book, 1866) Psalm 7:

Interpreted as a Christian hymn at the end

1 O Lord, our Lord, how wondrous great

Is Thine exalted name!

The glories of Thine heavenly state

Let men and babes proclaim.

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2 When I behold Thy works on high,

The moon that rules the night,

And stars that well adorn the sky,

Those moving worlds of light:

3 Lord, what is man, or all his race,

Who dwells so far below,

That Thou shouldst visit him with grace,

And love his nature so?

4 That Thine eternal Son should bear

To take a mortal form,

Made lower than His angels are,

To save a dying worm?

5 Let Him be crowned with majesty

Who bowed His head to death;

And be His honors sounded high

By all things that have breath.

6 Jesus, our Lord, how wondrous great

Is Thine exalted name !

The glories of Thy heavenly state

Let the whole earth proclaim.

Christopher L. Webber, A New Metrical Psalter (Church Hymnal Corp., 1986) Psalm 8:

1 O Lord our God, in all the world

Your glory we acclaim;

The mouths of infants, childrens lips,

Your majesty we proclaim.

2 You set against the enemy

A fortress high and strong

To quell the adversarys might

And those who do us wrong.

3 When I look up and see the moon

And stars in heaven above,

Lord, why should you remember us

And visit us in love?

4 Yet you have made us only less

Than angels, and you crown

Our lives with glory, give us rule

To earths remotest bound.

5 All sheep and oxen, beasts and birds,

We rule in your great Name;

O Lord our God, in all the world

Your glory we acclaim.

Psalms for All Seasons (Faith Alive, 2012). 8A (Words from Psalter 1912) Psalm 8:

1 Lord, our Lord, your glorious name,

All your wondrous works proclaim.

In the heavens with radiant signs

Ever more your glory shines.

2 Infant voices chant your praise

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Telling of your glorious ways.

Weakest means work out your will,

Mighty enemies to still.

3 Moon and stars in shining height

Nightly tell their Makers might

When I view the heaveans afar

Then I know how small we are.

4 Who are we that we should share

In your love and tender care

Raised to an exalted height

Crowned with honor in your sight.

5 With dominion crowned, we stand

Oer the creatures of your hand.

All to us subjection yield,

In the sea and air and field.

6 Lord, our Lord, your glorious name

All your wondrous works proclaim,

Yours the name of matchless worth,

Excellent in all the earth.

Psalms for All Seasons (Faith Alive, 2012). 8D (John L. Bell b. 1949) Psalm 8:

1 O Lord our Lord throughout the earth how glorious is your name,

And glorious too where unseen heavens your majesty proclaim.

On infant lips, in childrens song a strong defense you raise

To counter enemy and threat, and foil the rebels ways.

2 When I look up and see the skies which your own fingers made,

And wonder at the moon and stars each perfectly displayed,

Then must I ask, Why do you care? Why love humanity?

And why keep every mortal name fixed in your memory?

3 Yet such as us you made and meant just less than gods to be.

With honor and with glory, Lord, you crowned humanity.

And then dominion you bestowed for all made by your hand

All sheep and cattle, birds and fish that move through sea or land.

4 O Lord, our Lord, throughout the earth how glorious is your name.

Episcopal Psalms EP 1979 from BCP USA Psalm 8:

Domine, Dominus noster

1 O Lord our Governor,

How exalted is your Name in all the world!

2 Out of the mouths of infants and children

Your majesty is praised above the heavens.

3 You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries,

To quell the enemy and the avenger.

4 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,

The moon and the stars you have set in their courses,

5 What is man that you should be mindful of him?

The son of man that you should seek him out?

6 You have made him but little lower than the angels;

You adorn him with glory and honor;

7 You give him mastery over the works of your hands;

You put all things under his feet:

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8 All sheep and oxen,

Even the wild beasts of the field,

9 The birds of the air, the fish of the sea,

And whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.

10 O Lord our Governor,

How exalted is your Name in all the world!

NRSV Psalms Psalm 8:

To the leader: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David.

1 O Lord, our Sovereign,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.

2 Out of the mouths of babes and infants

you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,

to silence the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars that you have established;

4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them,

mortals that you care for them?

5 Yet you have made them a little lower than God,

and crowned them with glory and honor.

6 You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;

you have put all things under their feet,

7 all sheep and oxen,

and also the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,

whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord, our Sovereign,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

1 Notes: words and phrases & general interpretation & meaning

Of the Psalms we have read so far, Psalm 8 is the greatest poetry in terms of the strength of its statement and universal appeal as poem and praise-song. Awe at the beauty and immensity of the universe, giving humanity a powerful insight into the reality of God. We can be glad of the gift of existence in such a world. Interpretation cruces in this

psalm are verse 2 the infants and children a bulwark, and verse 4 son of man or mortals. Both are hidden revelation

in some sense. This is one of the best-loved psalms and one in which Davids voice can be heard. As I understand the

psalms better, I learn that the best psalm is difficult to identify there are great psalms certainly, and perhaps one can

understand the whole book of Psalms (all 150 psalms) as one great poem.

TNIV: contrast with previous psalms which are cries for help and acknowledgement of human perversity. There are 64

poetic lines (in 5 psalms) previous to this psalm, and from this Ps. 8 to Ps. 14 another 64 lines so there is perhaps some

structure to this section of the Psalter. Ps 14 contrasts with Ps 8 in content. Glory of humanity vs. folly of humanity.

verses 4-6 quoted by Heb. 2.6-8 (from the Septuagint), also Paul quotes v.6 in 1 Cor. 15.27 & Eph 1.22 = important to

Christian interpretation. See below.

KJV: Gittith in the superscription may refer to Gath, a psalm of victory over Goliath, or a tune sung by treaders of the

wine press, or associated with joy as in Psalms 81 & 84. The name O Lord our Lord could be translated Jehovah, who

art our sovereign Lord and Master. His name alone is glorious and worthy of praise; it is praised even Out of the mouth

of babes and sucklings. Son of Man is taken as a reference to Messiah, for Christians this is Jesus.

NAB: While marveling at the limitless power of God, the psalmist is struck first by the smallness of humanity in

creation, and then by the royal dignity and power that God has graciously bestowed upon them. Good statement, this is

indeed a very affirmative psalm.

NAB notes: babes and infants the text is obscure. Some join this line to the last line of 2 to read you whose majesty

is exalted above the heavens by the mouths of babes and infants. Drawn a defense (raised a bulwark against).

Some prefer the Septuagints translation of the Hebrew as fashioned praise, quoted in Mt. 21.16 [praise of God is

defense against the adversary]. Enemy and avenger could be cosmic enemies which might be forces opposed to Gods

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will. Son of man in Hebrew, ben adam meaning son of adam, meaning mortal, title used by Christ. Elohim these

are gods or angels, powers in heaven, sometimes translated as an equivalent for God. From internet NAB: With the

mouths of babes and infants: the psalmist realizes that his attempts to praise such an awesome God are hopelessly

inadequate and amounts to little more than the sounds made by infants. From internet NAB: Established a bulwark:

[this might be] an allusion to lost myth telling how God built a fortress for himself in the heavens in primordial times in

his battle with the powers of chaos. This bulwark is the firmament. [this statement is speculation].

Matthew Henry: it seems that the psalmist is admiring the night sky. Why does he not take notice of the sun, which

much excels them all? Probably because it was in a night-walk.

Craigie: Quoting Ps 8 in the NT. Jesus after cleansing the temple, was criticized by the chief priests and scribes for his

apparent acceptance of the behavior of children, who were shouting Hosanna to the Son of David. The authorities

were indignant and expected Jesus to calm this juvenile chorus. But he responded by quoting Ps 8.3 Out of the mouth

of babes and sucklings you have brought forth perfect praise (Mt 21.16).

Refs to Ps 8 in 1 Cor 15.27: For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been

put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.

Eph 1.22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,

which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Heb 2.6-8 But there is a place where someone has testified: "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of

man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor and put

everything under his feet." In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present

we do not see everything subject to him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned

with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. [the

point is that the Christian Church found a certain prophesy of the Messiah in Ps 8, and considered that it was fulfilled in

Jesus Christ, who called himself son of man. The Psalms, especially in the LXX, are deeply linked to the development

of the Christian faith].

James May: this is the first praise-song in the Psalter. It is also a praise-song of the name of God [this tells us that the

content is very holy.]

Spurgeon Treasury of David: A well-expressed comment tying the psalm to a Christian understanding: The first and

last verses are a sweet song of admiration, in which the excellence of the name of God is extolled. The intermediate

verses are made up of holy wonder at the Lord's greatness in creation, and at his condescension towards man. Poole, in

his annotation, has well said, "It is a great question among interpreters, whether this Psalm speaks of man in general,

and of the honor which God puts upon him in his creation; or only of the man Christ Jesus. Possibly both may be

reconciled and put together, and the controversy, if rightly stated, may be ended, for the scope and business of this

Psalm seems plainly to be this: to display and celebrate the great love and kindness of God to mankind, not only in his

creation, but especially in his redemption by Jesus Christ, whom, as he was man, he advanced to the honor and

dominion here mentioned, that he might carry on his great and glorious work.

Cambridge: O Lord, our Lord] Jehovah, our Lord. Coverdale rightly felt the need of some audible distinction between

Lord (= Jehovah) and Lord (= Adonai), when he rendered O Lorde our Governour. Cp. Jeromes Domine dominator

noster. How fitting is this acknowledgment of Jehovahs sovereignty for the opening of a Psalm in which mans

delegated dominion over the world is brought into such prominence. Here, for the first time in the Psalter, the Psalmist

associates others with himself in addressing Jehovah (our Lord). He speaks on behalf of the covenant people, hardly

as yet (at any rate consciously) on behalf of all mankind. Cp. Nehemiah 10:29; Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 135:5; Psalm 147:5;

Isaiah 26:13.

how excellent] Or, majestic. The word is related to that rendered honor in Psalm 8:5, and majesty in Psalm 104:1. It

suggests the ideas of amplitude, splendor, magnificence. Cp. Psalm 76:4; Psalm 93:4 (A.V. mighty).

thy name] That expression of Thyself in the works of Creation and Providence by which Thy character may be

recognised. Cp. Psalm 5:11.

Who hast set] The Hebrew, as the margin of the R.V. candidly notes, is obscure. The word, as vocalised in the

Massoretic Text, is imperative, set thou: but the construction would be unparalleled, and a prayer for the manifestation

of Gods glory in the heavens would be out of place, for it is already manifested there. No satisfactory explanation can

be offered without some alteration of the text. Changing the vowels we may render, Thou whose glory is spread over the

heavens, (cp. Habakkuk 3:3): or, Thou whose glory is celebrated above the heavens. Cp. the LXX, Thy magnificence is

exalted above the heavens ( ). But it seems best to make the slight change of

consonants required for the rendering of the A.V., which gives an excellent sense, and is supported by the Targum,

Syriac, Symmachus, and Jerome, among the ancient versions. Jehovah has set His glory upon the heavens (so R.V. rightly,

though retaining above in the marg.), clothed them with a glory which is the reflection and manifestation of His own

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(Psalm 104:1). Cp. the uses of the phrase in Numbers 27:20; 1 Chronicles 29:25; Daniel 11:21; and a similar phrase in

Psalm 21:5.

In rendering than the angels the A.V. follows the LXX, Vulg., Targ. and Syriac. The later Greek versions (Aquila,

Symmachus and Theodotion) and Jerome, rightly render than God. For though in some cases Elohim(God or gods) is

applied to supernatural beings generally (1 Samuel 28:13), angels are rather called sons of God; and moreover there is a

clear reference to the creation of man in the image of God, after His likeness (Genesis 1:26-27).

Glory and honor (or, majesty: worship in P.B.V. is an archaism for honor) are the attributes of royalty: of God Himself

(Psalm 145:5; Psalm 145:12), and of kings who are His representatives (Psalm 21:5; Psalm 45:3). Man is crowned king of

creation.

A little lower than angels or a little lower than God? this crux in interpretation will in later ages be considered with

regard to the nature of Christ the Messiah. Does it refer to his nature on earth? Is the Christ less than God or equal to

God? This topic was a principal theological point of disagreement in the early centuries. Through the gate of 2000 years,

we may grow in wisdom, knowing that the everlasting, unchanging love given by God is not affected by mortal

disagreements on such difficult unknowable things! Higher we go to the Eternal Love which expressed itself to us in

these ways, One God, Holy Trinity, One God.

Puzzle about Psalm 8 verse 2 (LXX verse 3)

When we read the psalm as a structured poem, we note immediately that the second verse Out of the mouths of

babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger. does not

make a smooth logical transition from the previous to the following verse, which is focused on praise of the heavens,

looking up to the heavens. It appears to be inserted. If that is so, why and when would it be inserted into the psalm?

Presumably it must have been inserted when the psalms were written down into the scroll, some 2500 years ago. The

reason for this would be:

1 the need (according to Godly inspiration) to include this piece of information about the children, voices of praise, to

silence the enemy

2 the need to number the verses in a particular way. If you add an extra verse, the numbers change.

3 the need to make the psalm a particular length

4 the children could also be an allegory, taken up in the Gospels

There is a poetic point. Looking up at the heavens, the countless stars; comes then to mind the children of Israel, to be

as countless as the stars or the sands of the sea as God has promised. In the abundance of progeny the people will live

and Gods praise will continue, and so the foe (the wicked powers) will be defeated in the progeny of the future. Also,

this is a prophesy for the future both for the Christian Church and Islam, who are spiritual children of David and

Abraham. The spiritual children of Abraham are indeed as countless as the stars, being approximately half (or more) the

population of the world.

Notes on words:

Governor: a more formal nuance than in modern English, from Latin.

Excellent: in the older sense of surpassing all

Above the heavens: heaven in the sense of sky, glory of God through that & above that & surpassing that, also God

enthroned upon the sky, his glory there, thus above it, an ancient statement of where God dwelt

Mouth: signifies speech as we have seen so far, , this is a metaphorical teaching: 1 out of the youngest and smallest

words of praise 2 Israel continues through the children i.e. defeating the ungodly with its sons 3 Gods glory also

visible in the little children 4 children the fruit of marriage bringing new alliance = end of enmity

Suckling: unweaned baby

Because of thine enemies: phrase used in the old translations, effectively means because of what those enemies are, in

order to meet and forestall their wickedness abbreviated phrase

Moon and stars: the Psalmist is looking at the night sky

Mindful: think about, have concern about

Son of man: humanity in general, in modern translations this would have to be changed, but it is also a mystical title

used by Jesus in the Gospels, and a secret term for the Messiah

Visitest: same meaning of mindful, short for visit with compassion, i.e. have care for

Lower than angels: a theological statement, humanity a lower order than angels but entitled to be with them in heaven

Worship: on earth the honour due to King David, also reference to honour granted by entitlement to heaven?

Dominion: authority

Sheep, oxen, beasts, birds, fish, creatures of the deep (sea-monsters) = all created animals

Repeated first line: sacred acclamation, making real the Psalmists recognition of God in speech, praise and prayer

Lord our Lord: KJV follows the Hebrew more closely emphasis on our

A little lower: less effective poetically because too fussy

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Neat: OE word for heifer, cow or oxen

Reckon: related, counted, mentioned

Let us learn a couple of Hebrew words for each psalm.

First note some different translations for the first two words:

NAB & NASB & NIV: O LORD, our Lord.

Contemporary: Our Lord and Ruler.

New World: O Jehovah our Lord.

NRSV: O LORD, our Sovereign.

Amer. Standard: O Jehovah, our Lord.

TLB Living Bible: O Lord, our God.

OJB Orthodox Jewish Bible: Hashem Adoneinu.

Original Hebrew: [Tetrag.] nn

Hebrew is Yahweh (in English rendered approximately = Gods holy name, the tetragrammaton) and Adoneinu (Lord), rendered by Lord in many translations. Yahweh is translated by some as Jehovah. This word derives from Biblical

translations, first found in Vulgate (check details). The Orthodox Jews cannot speak or write the holy name (in

English), so they use the term Hashem or Adonai or Adoneinu. Hence the phrase O Lord, our Lord. In my

lectures, in a personal gesture of respect to God and for Orthodox Jewish practice, I use the word Hashem,

though my belief is that there will be no penalty for saying the name of God (in any form) if one speaks the word

with reverence and respect.

This is an acclamation asserting the identity of the psalmist through praise for the acknowledged God, the creator of all:

(OUR Lord is the living true God & He is OUR Sovereign & WE are His & that is who we are)

Let us learn the first line of this Psalm in Hebrew. See below for a transliteration of this psalm.

Transliteration: mah or ma- or meh Phonetic Spelling: (maw) Short Definition: how long, how much

Transliteration: adder Phonetic Spelling: (ad-dir') Short Definition: excellent, majestic

Transliteration: shem Phonetic Spelling: (sham) Short Definition: name also renown & reputation

Transliteration: kol Phonetic Spelling: (kol) Short Definition: all

Transliteration: erets Phonetic Spelling: (eh'-rets) Short Definition: earth

Adonai adoneinu mah-adir shimkha bl hre!

Lord, our Lord, how excellent thy name in all the earth!

Orthodox Jews say: Hashem Adoneinu for the beginning. This is one of the most beautiful and holy of the psalms

and also quite short, so it would be a good one to memorize for the purpose of learning some of the ancient Hebrew.

2 Notes: literary comparison & evaluation. Which of these versions communicates the Psalmists feelings?

Coverdale: in general this is satisfying in rhythm, with strong lines and good phrases, KJV more or less the same. The

forthright clarity and strength of the Psalmists prayer is what must be conveyed and the poetic versions are generally

weak.

KJV: as Coverdale, good.

S&H: Adds the sun to the list of the heavens. Least successful S&H so far in this series of Psalms, trivial & trite.

T&B: interesting interpretation praise sung in heaven and on earth, contrast in the mouths of infants = humanity?

Psalmist is characterized as a voice in this poem.

Henry Howard: this fragment is rather good, though the poulter measure is unwieldy. Earth to rule the earth is

well-stated.

Sidney: this is a clumsy version, sacrificing good sense for the sake of the rhyme with clumsy inversion and bad choice

of words. Bad.

Milton: No good.

Watts: a light and fluent version, some redundant phrases used, beasts like slaves is clumsy line? but a clear and bright

version. Good.

Wesley: Wesley makes this a Christian hymn. The nuance is clumsy stoop so low suggesting doing something vile.

Also almighty God of love sounds like Cupid. Written in a hurry? Not good.

Scottish Psalter version 2: this is an excellent poetic version, rendering the content in a satisfying rhythm and unforced

melodic rhyme, toning down some aspects of the original which makes it more effective in a modern version. The

rhythmic contrast of line 2 and line 4 used by Donne and Herbert quite often works very well in this short verse.

Very Good.

Episcopal: Note the different translation of v. 2-3 children praise God above the heavens (up to heaven), this is separated

from the line about the enemy and the avenger. Compare TNIV: Lord our Lord how majestic is your name in all the

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earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a

stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. The Episcopal version separates the little

children from any role against the avenger this is better for modern prayer, but it departs from the original. Compare

NRSV: Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the

enemy and the avenger. The meaning of the original is obscure and that is probably the point children defeat the

opponent, various interpretations possible. The line of Israel, the pure prayer of children, children = the focus of love

itself defeats the opponent. The issue being of what we should speak out in prayer day by day vs. what we should read

as mystical teaching, as a divine poetry.

Webber: less assured, rather subdued those who do us wrong is the wrong tone here. The first verse is clumsy. Why

does he use the phrase childrens lips? Not so good.

Psalms for all seasons 8A: this is a simply rhymed smoothly rhythmical version, reminiscent of 19th c hymns for children.

7777 aabb is too closely rhymed and patterned for the majesty of this psalm (it sounds like a nursery rhyme!) but it is

nevertheless quite pleasing with a good tune it might be good tune said to be Gott sei dank durch all welt.

Psalms for all seasons 8D: modern version some nice interpretation of the original but a failure in tone and dignity in

the casual phrasing of Why do you care? Also the redundancy of phrasing diminishes the power of this version (made

and meant) (all made by your hand). Always watch out for line-filling phrases.

Psalm 8 Japanese

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 Amen

References & Websites

Peter Craigie & Marvin Tate Psalms 1-50 Word Biblical Comm.

Robert Alter The Book of Psalms Translation with Comment.

James L. Mays Psalms Interpretation Commentary

http://psalms.schechter.edu/Rabbi Benjamin J. Segal

http://biblehub.com/Various commentaries found here

http://www.missionstclare.com/english/psalm/psalters.html Anglican Psalters included 1662 BCP also Liturgical Psalter 1977

http://www.cgmusic.org/workshop/allpsalm.htm Music for the Church of God Various Psalters S&H T&B texts in English USEFUL

http://ba.21.free.fr/septuaginta/psaumes/psaumes_1.html Septuagint Psalms

http://www.latinvulgate.com/ parallel English Vulgata Latin ed (Vulgate Douay-Rheims)

http://psautierdegeneve.blogspot.jp/2012/09/psaume-42.html Geneva Psalms French 1587 & 1729

http://www.clementmarot.com/psalms_texts.htm Psalm poems of Clement Marot 1543

http://www.genevanpsalter.com/ Metrical French (Marot) influential melodies (Bourgeois) transl. into Eng and still in use

http://www.covenantofgrace.com/index.htm Scottish Presbyterian Psalter

http://www.medievalist.net/hourstxt/home.htm Book of Hours many Latin Psalms

http://soundcloud.com/john-ross10 Scottish Versions good!

http://www.psalm-singing.org/ Scottish Metrical Psalms sung good!

On YouTube there are beautiful settings of Genevan Psalm melodiesGeneefs psalter

For English Translations of psalms from the earlier period consult: William J. Chamberlin, Catalogue of English Bible Translations: a Classified Bibliography of Versions and Editions (Greenwood Publishing Group,

http://psalms.schechter.edu/http://www.missionstclare.com/english/psalm/psalters.htmlhttp://www.cgmusic.org/workshop/allpsalm.htmhttp://ba.21.free.fr/septuaginta/psaumes/psaumes_1.htmlhttp://www.latinvulgate.com/http://psautierdegeneve.blogspot.jp/2012/09/psaume-42.htmlhttp://www.clementmarot.com/psalms_texts.htmhttp://www.genevanpsalter.com/http://www.covenantofgrace.com/index.htmhttp://www.medievalist.net/hourstxt/home.htmhttp://soundcloud.com/john-ross10http://www.psalm-singing.org/

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1991) 900 pages. Can be seen on Google Books.

Clement Marot from Trente Pseaulmes de David mis en francoys, [selon la verite Hebraicque,] par Clement Marot, valet de chambre du Roy. Geneva edition of Jean Girard, 1543

[this needs to be rendered in modernized French spelling]

Psalm 8

Pseaulme Huictiesme ung verset pour couplet chanter

Domine, Dominus noster, quam.

Argument: Avecques grande admiration, David celebre icy la merveilleuse puissance du createur de toutes choses, et la grande bont dont il a daign user envers l'homme, l'ayant faict tel qu'il est. Pseaulme que toute creature humaine

devrait savoir et chanter.

1 O Nostre Dieu, et Seigneur amyable

Combien ton Nom est grand, et admirable,

Par tout ce val terrestre spacieux,

Qui ta puissance esleve sur les cieulx!

2 En tout se voit ta grand vertu parfaicte,

Jusqu' la bouche aux enfants, qu'on allaicte,

Et rendz par l confuz, et abbatu

Tout ennemy, qui nie ta vertu.

3 Mais quand je voy, et contemple en courage

Tes cieulx, qui sont de tes doigts hault ouvrage,

Estoilles, Lune, et signes differents,

Que tu as faictz, et assis en leurs rengs.

4 Adonc je dy apart moy (ainsi comme

Tout esbahy) et qu'est ce que de l'homme?

D'avoir daign de luy te souvenir,

Et de vouloir en ton soing le tenir?

5 Tu l'as faict tel, que plus il ne luy reste,

Fors estre Dieu: car tu l'as, quant au reste,

Abondamment de gloire environn,

Remply de biens, et d'honneur couronn.

6 Regner le fays sur les oeuvres tant belles

De tes deux mains, comme Seigneur d'icelles.

Tu as de vray, sans quelque exception,

My soubs ses piedz tout en subjection:

7 Brebis, et Boeufz, et leur peaulx, et leurs laines,

Touts les trouppeaulx des haultz montz, et des plaines,

En general, toutes bestes cerchants

A pasturer, par les boys, et les champs:

8 Oyseaulx de l'air, qui vollent, et qui chantent,

Poissons de mer, ceulx qui nagent, et hantent

Par les sentiers de mer, grands, et petits,

Tu les as touts l'homme assubjectis.

9 O Nostre Dieu, et Seigneur amyable,

Comme bon droict est grand, et admirable,

L'excellent bruyt de ton Nom precieux,

Par tout ce val terrestre spacieux!

Geneva Psalms 1729

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Psautier de Genve de 1729 Psaume 8

1 notre Dieu, tout bon, tout adorable,

Que ton saint nom est grand et redoutable!

Ta gloire clate en ces terrestres lieux,

Ta majest, slve sur les cieux.

2. Le tendre enfant encore la mamelle,

Prche nos yeux ta puissance ternelle;

Sa faible voix confond limpit,

Et du mchant condamne la fiert.

3. Quand loin du bruit, en te rendant hommage,

Seul, de tes doigts je contemple louvrage,

Les cieux, la lune, et les astres brillants,

Que ta sagesse a placs en leurs rangs;

4. Je dis alors, Majest suprme,

Quest lhomme en soi, le fils de lhomme mme,

Que ta bont daigne sen souvenir,

Le visiter encore et le bnir?

5. Tu las un peu fait moindre que les anges,

Qui, dans le ciel, clbrent tes louanges;

Tu las aussi dclat environn,

Combl de gloire, et dhonneur couronn.

6. Tu las fait roi sur ces uvres si belles

Que tu formas de tes mains immortelles;

Tes ordres saints ont, sans exception,

Mis sous ses pieds tout en sujtion.

7. Tous les troupeaux qui cherchent les montagnes,

Le gros btail qui pat les campagnes,

Les animaux des dserts et des bois,

Portent son joug, ou tremblent sa voix.

8. Et Les oiseaux qui volent et qui chantent,

Et les poissons qui par troupes frquentent

Fleuves, tangs, et les profondes mers,

Tout est sous lui dans ce vaste univers.

9. notre Dieu, tout bon, tout adorable,

Que ton saint nom est grand et redoutable!

Ta gloire clate en ces terrestres lieux,

Ta majest, slve sur les cieux.

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Musical Versions

What is Man?

Psalm 8 adapted by Johnny Cash (posted on YouTube)

What is man that you are mindful of him, Lord?

You made the stars the moon and the sun.

And all the world that came to be at your command,

What is man? What has he done?

And you crown him with glory and honor,

Gave him dominion over land and sea and air,

And you store up inheritance in heaven,

What is man that you should care?

What is man, Lord, that you should care?

What is man that you would let him live at all

To shed the blood of his own kind?

And in his pride goes on his way deaf to your call?

What is man, why do you mind?

And you crown him with glory and honor,

Gave him dominion over land and sea and air,

And you store up inheritance in heaven,

What is man that you should care?

Comment

The point of the original psalm is changed, but a good song. Mind in an old meaning can be to have in mind,

remember, think of also it can be to give heed to so it would mean Why would you think of him? The modern

nuance would be why would it bother you? It could be improved to What is man, so base in mind?

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Psalm 8 sung in Hebrew (transliterated)

David and Lisa Loden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZTx1vIpksc&feature=related

1 (Chorus) Adonai adoneinu mah-addir shimcha bechol-ha'aretz asher tenah hodecha al-hashamayim.

2 mippi ollelim veyonekim yissadta oz lema'an tzorreicha lehashbit oyev umitnakkem.

Chorus

3 ki-er'eh shameicha ma'aseietzbe'oteicha yareach vechochavim asher konanetah.

Chorus

4 mah-enosh ki-tizkerennu uven-adam ki tifkedennu.

5 vattechasserehu me'at me'elohim vechavod vehadar te'atterehu.

Chorus

6 tamshilehu bema'asei yadeicha kol shattah tachat-raglav.

7 tzoneh va'alafim kullam vegam bahamot sadai.

8 tzippor shamayim udegei haiyam over arechot yammim.

9 (Chorus) Adonai adoneinu mah-addir shimcha bechol-ha'aretz asher tenah hodecha al-hashamayim.

Comment

David and Lisa Loden are singer-songwriters who adapt biblical Hebrew into songs, often extremely well. More information

can be found here: http://yuvalshomron.com/msm/index.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZTx1vIpksc&feature=relatedhttp://yuvalshomron.com/msm/index.htm

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Archbishop Demetrios Greek Primate of America in an excellent YouTube presentation on Ps 8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxFsTkWsJcQ

noted that in Sophocles Antigone the chorus has a song praising the ingenuity of humanity which is an interesting

parallel to the theme of the dignity of humanity in this psalm. This is the well-known Ode to Man

This poetic rather free rendition posted on the internet:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/alt.quotations/kvPVg8ERCCc/I2tYuGV3VV8J

Numberless are the worlds wonders, but none

More wonderful than man; the storm-gray sea

Yields to his prows, the huge crests bear him high;

Earth, holy and inexhaustible, is graven

With shining furrows where his plows have gone

Year after year, the timeless labor of stallions.

The light-boned birds and beasts that cling to cover,

The lithe fish lighting their reaches of dim water,

All are taken, tamed in the net of his mind;

The lion on the hill, the wild horse windy-maned,

Resign to him; and his blunt yoke has broken

The sultry shoulders of the mountain bull.

Words also, and thought as rapid as air,

He fashions to his good use; statecraft is his

And his the skill that deflects the arrows of snow,

The spears of winter rain: from every wind

He has made himself secure from all but one:

In the late wind of death he cannot stand.

Sophocles, Antigone

Septuagint Psalm 8

1 , . Jusqu' la Fin, au sujet des pressoirs vin, un psaume de

David.

2 ,

.

Seigneur, notre Dieu, que ton nom est admirable sur

toute la terre ! Car ta magnificence est leve au-dessus

des cieux.

3

.

Tu as mis la parfaite louange dans la bouche des enfants

la mamelle, cause de tes ennemis, pour confondre le

haineux et le vindicatif.

4 ,

, ,

Quand je vois les cieux, uvres de tes doigts, la lune et

les toiles que tu as cres, je dis:

5 , ;

, ;

Qu'est donc l'homme, pour que tu te souviennes de lui ?

ou le fils de l'homme, pour que tu le visites?

6 ,

,

Tu l'as fait un peu moindre que les anges ; tu l'as

couronn d'honneur et de gloire,

7

,

Et tu l'as mis la tte des uvres de tes mains ! Tu as

plac toutes choses sous ses pieds:

8 , ,

,

Les brebis et tous les bufs, et mme les btes des

champs;

9

, .

Les oiseaux du ciel, et les poissons de la mer et ceux qui

parcourent les sentiers des mers.

10 ,

!

Seigneur, notre Seigneur, que ton nom est admirable sur

toute la terre !

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/alt.quotations/kvPVg8ERCCc/I2tYuGV3VV8J

19

Psalm 8 in Vulgata Latin

1 in finem pro torcularibus psalmus David

2 Domine Dominus noster quam admirabile est nomen tuum in universa terra quoniam elevata est magnificentia tua

super caelos

3 ex ore infantium et lactantium perfecisti laudem propter inimicos tuos ut destruas inimicum et ultorem

4 quoniam videbo caelos tuos; opera digitorum tuorum lunam et stellas quae tu fundasti

5 quid est homo quod memor es eius aut filius hominis quoniam visitas eum

6 minuisti eum paulo minus ab angelis gloria et honore coronasti eum

7 et constituisti eum super opera manuum tuarum

8 omnia subiecisti sub pedibus eius oves et boves universas insuper et pecora campi

9 volucres caeli et pisces maris qui perambulant semitas maris

10 Domine Dominus noster quam admirabile est nomen tuum in universa terra