Ps 8 is a very familiar praise hymn. We always heard this Psalm in worship. You may notice that v.1a and the v.9 is identical. This is called the "bookend style," and we will see how it used here in Ps 8.
3 parties in this psalm: God, enemy, human.
God: Yahweh (covenant God) is David's master v.1a. He is like a magnificent king and His dominion reaches over the whole heaven and earth 1b. In other words, the enemy has no place to stand.
Enemy: God's way to win over His enemies is through the weakest human, namely, children and nursing infant v.2. The rest of the psalm is going to elaborate this point.
Human: The psalmist pondered on this point and was amazed. He knew that God was so great that even the heavens, moon and stars was made and set in place by God v.3. Yet He chose man to be His co-regent and rule over the creation v.4-8.
Note v.5 mankind was granted honor and majesty (God is magnificent and majestic v.1).v.6 "rule", "authority" was appointed and placed by God just like the moon and stars were "set in place" by God in v.3. Yes, we are the co-ruler, but remember our position was given by God. We need to take care of our dominion with God's help and use God's way.
v.7-8 the list of all the creatures under our dominion was similar to the list in Genesis 1. The position for human as the co-regent is not new. It is the purpose that God has given us from the beginning. The psalmist realized that all we have does not belong to us. They were given by God to give us a chance to rule just like Him Who is THE ruler. However, mankind has forgotten about this. We thought our dominion (whether it is our work, our family, or other possession) belong to us and they showed how great we are.
To this special position the psalmist knew that man does not deserve this.
8:4 Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them?
v.4 Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them. This is the middle verse of Ps 8. v.1 and 9 talks about the glory of God (repeat) and the middle verse talks about mankind. How unimportant we are, yet God cares about us and give us this privilege.
What do you think is the tone or the emotion of this psalm? Thankful? Humble? Give praise to God and this is the way God chose to shut down His enemy.
Audrey
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