Psalms 8:3

3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

Psalms 8:3 in Other Translations

KJV
3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
ESV
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
NLT
3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place—
MSG
3 I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky-jewelry, Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
CSB
3 When I observe Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You set in place,

Psalms 8:3 Meaning and Commentary

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" F8, 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 psalm in the night, When these celestial bodies were in view; and, it may be, while he was keeping his father's sheep, since, in the enumeration of the creatures subject to man, sheep are mentioned first, as being in view, ( Psalms 8:7 ) . The heavenly bodies are very glorious creatures, and are worthy of the consideration and contemplation of man, and even of a saint; whereby he may be led to observe the wisdom, power, goodness, and greatness of God.


FOOTNOTES:

F8 (tnnwk) "praeparasti", Pagninus, Montanus; "parasti", Musculus, Piscator, Gejerus, Michaelis.

Psalms 8:3 In-Context

1 LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
5 You have made them a little lower than the angelsand crowned them with glory and honor.

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Genesis 15:5; S Deuteronomy 10:14; Psalms 89:11
  • 2. S Exodus 8:19; S 1 Chronicles 16:26; S 2 Chronicles 2:12; Psalms 102:25
  • 3. S Genesis 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:41; Psalms 136:9
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.