Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 8:6

"Thou makest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet:" — Psalms 8:6 (ASV)

You made him to have dominion - You caused him to have, or gave him this dominion. It does not mean that God made or created him for that end, but that He had conceded to him that dominion, thus conferring on him exalted honor. The allusion is to (Genesis 1:26), (Genesis 1:28).

Over the works of your hands - His works upon the earth, for the dominion extends no further.

You have put all things under his feet - You have placed all things in subjection to him. Compare (Psalms 47:3); (Psalms 91:13); (Lamentations 3:34); (Romans 16:20); (1 Corinthians 15:25). The language is taken from the act of treading down enemies in battle, from putting the feet on the necks of captives, etc. The idea is that of complete and entire subjection.

This dominion was originally given to man at his creation, and it still remains (though not so absolute and entire as this). For nothing is in itself more remarkable than the dominion which man, by nature so feeble, exercises over the inferior creation.

It is impossible to account for this in any other way than as it is accounted for in the Bible, by the supposition that it was originally conceded to man by his Creator. On the question of the applicability of this to Christ, see the notes at (Hebrews 2:6–9).