Psalm 8
The introduction to Psalm 8 is also a part of Scripture, not an addition of later scribes. The chief musician was the one who directed the liturgical music at the tabernacle. He was probably also the director of the orchestra and chorus used in the worship services. Gittith is a form of zither (a stringed instrument). David wrote one-half of the 150 psalms.
The Messianic Psalms—those that directly refer to the Messiah, the promised redeemer of the world—are Psalms 2, 8, 16, 22, 23, 24, 40, 45, 47, 68, 69, 110, and 118. These psalms portray the Messiah’s person and work, His birth, betrayal, agony, and death, His triumph over death, His ascension into heaven and enthronement at the right hand of God the Father.
In verse 1, David praises God for His being, His attributes, and His revelation (His excellent name) over all the earth. God’s “name” includes His majesty and everything God has revealed about Himself—revealed by His creation and in His holy Word. In Psalm 19, David states that, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” St. Paul declares, “For since the creation of the world, [God’s] invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). The orderly universe filled with stars and galaxies proclaim the creation of God. God’s glory is also seen in His loving work of redemption through the Messiah, God’s Son. Jesus prayed to His Father, “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17:4). His work was saving the world.
Jesus quoted verse 2 of this Psalm to the Pharisees who demanded that Jesus quiet the children who were singing praises to the Messiah the day after Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:15-17). God delights in the songs and prayers of baptized infants—and adults.
Regarding section 3 (verses 3 to 5): When David contemplates all the stars of the known universe, which is the work of God’s fingers (the picture is that these mighty stars were created with only a little of God’s almighty power). The Hubble space telescope has taken photographs of galaxies thousands of light years away, each one containing over 1 billion stars. These star islands in the midst of distant space teach us the greatness of God’s infinite power, the orderliness of His creation, the extent of His providence. When we contemplate the vast expanse of the known universe and the great majesty of God, mankind is so far below God and so minute in comparison that one would think that God has many more things to be concerned about. Not only is God mindful of everything we do and He preserves our life, even more amazing that God visits us with His presence and sent His Son to visit the earth and bring salvation to all people.
Verse 5 can only apply to the Messiah: Though He was rich in heavenly glory, yet for our sakes He became man, being made “a little lower than the angels” when He took on human flesh and dwelt on earth for a time— in order that He might make us rich in salvation. The Athanasian Creed reflects the words of this verse when it says that Jesus is “equal to the Father as touching His Godhead and inferior to the Father as touching His manhood” (ELH, pg. 30, para. 31). St. Paul also states that Jesus “humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him a name that is above every name” (Phil 2:8-9). As the God-Man, Jesus suffered death for the sins of the whole world when God forsook Him on the cross. Then God raised Him from the dead and lifting Him from the earth 40 days later, God gave Jesus’ human nature all the glory and authority of His divine nature. Jesus uses His divine power to spread the Gospel throughout the world.
Verses 6 to 8: In heaven, the Messiah has rulership over the whole universe also according to His human nature. To “put all things under His feet” is to have dominion over all things for the good of His Church (read Eph.1:20-23). The beasts, birds and fish in verses 7-8 are representatives of all of God’s creation. David defined these creatures by the environment in which they live—land, air and sea. Note that the “paths of the sea” refer to the ocean currents.
God has an excellent name, which is to be adored by all the creatures He has made. Because of the Messiah’s work of salvation and His glorious rule over all things, all of mankind needs to worship their Savior and Lord and praise and glorify His name and revelation.