Meaning, commentary and cross references
Psalms 8:3
“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
NIV · New International Version
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
WEB · World English Bible
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained,
What does Psalms 8:3 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Psalms 8:3
When I consider thy heavens,.... Where God dwells, and which he has made; the airy and starry heavens, which are to be seen with the bodily eye; and the heaven of heavens, which is to be beheld and considered by faith: the work of thy fingers; being curiously wrought by his power, and garnished by his Spirit: for the finger of God is the Spirit of God; see Matthew 12:28; compared with Luke 11:20; the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained, or "prepared" (h), for various uses to the earth, and the inhabitants of it. The sun is not mentioned, because it cannot be looked upon, as the moon and the stars may, nor be seen when they are. And it is generally thought that David composed this…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Psalms 8:3–9
What it is that leads him to admire the condescending favour of God to man; it is his consideration of the lustre and influence of the heavenly bodies, which are within the view of sense (Psa 8:3): I consider thy heavens, and there, particularly, the moon and the stars. But why does he not take notice of the sun, which much excels them all? Probably because it was in a night-walk, but moon-light, that he entertained and instructed himself with this meditation, when the sun was not within view, but only the moon and the stars, which, though they are not altogether so serviceable to man as the sun is, yet are no less demonstrations of the wisdom, power, and goodness of the Creator. Observe, 1.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Psalms 8:3–4
3. When I see thy heavens, the works of thy fingers; the moon and the stars which thou hast arranged: 4. What is man [143] that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? [144] As the Hebrew particle ky, ki, has often the same meaning as because or for, and simply affirms a thing, both the Greek and the Latin fathers have generally read the fourth verse as if it were a complete sentence by itself. But it is, doubtless, closely connected with the following verse; and, therefore, the two verses ought to be joined together.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Psalms 8:1–6 (WEB)
1For the Chief Musician; on an instrument of Gath. A Psalm by David. LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens! 2From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength, because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger. 3When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained, 4what is man, that you think of him? What is the son of man, that you care for him? 5For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor. 6You make him ruler over the works of your hands. You have put all things under his feet:
Cross references
- Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
- Psalms 33:6
- Psalms 89:11
- Psalms 104:19
- Psalms 111:2
- Romans 1:20
For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity, that they may be without excuse.
- Exodus 8:19
Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is God’s finger;” but Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he didn’t listen to them, as the LORD had spoken.
- Luke 11:20
But if I by God’s finger cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come to you.