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Lutheran reading notes

In Psalms chapter 8, the wisdom literature continues to explore prayer, worship, lament, praise, and trust in God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.

Theme: Wisdom, prayer, and faithful living Key people: Wise figures Key place: Israel Liturgical use: Wisdom lections
1 [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.
Psalms 8:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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. {ordained: Heb. founded}
Psalms 8:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
Psalms 8:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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.
Psalms 8:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all {things} under his feet:
Psalms 8:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; {All...: Heb. Flocks and oxen all of them}
8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, {and whatsoever} passeth through the paths of the seas.
Psalms 8:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent {is} thy name in all the earth!
Psalms 8:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.