Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 8:3-9

"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him but little lower than God, And crownest him with glory and honor. Thou makest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, Yea, and the beasts of the field, The birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, Whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O Jehovah, our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth!" — Psalms 8:3-9 (ASV)

We are to consider the heavens, so that man may in this way be directed to set his affections on things above. What is man, so lowly a creature, that he should be honoured in this way! So sinful a creature, that he should be favoured in this way! Man has sovereign dominion over the inferior creatures, under God, and is appointed their lord.

This refers to Christ. In Hebrews 2:6–8, the apostle, to prove the sovereign dominion of Christ, shows that He is that Man, that Son of Man, spoken of here, whom God has made to have dominion over the works of His hands. The greatest favour ever shown to the human race, and the greatest honour ever placed upon human nature, were exemplified in the Lord Jesus.

With good reason does the psalmist conclude as he began, Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, which has been honoured with the presence of the Redeemer, and is still enlightened by His gospel, and governed by His wisdom and power! What words can reach His praises, who has a right to our obedience as our Redeemer?