The Meaning of Psalms 8:2 Explained

Psalms 8:2

KJV: Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

YLT: From the mouths of infants and sucklings Thou hast founded strength, Because of Thine adversaries, To still an enemy and a self-avenger.

Darby: Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou established praise because of thine adversaries, to still the enemy and the avenger.

ASV: Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou established strength, Because of thine adversaries, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Out of the mouth  of babes  and sucklings  hast thou ordained  strength  because of thine enemies,  that thou mightest still  the enemy  and the avenger. 

What does Psalms 8:2 Mean?

Verse Meaning

In addition to the earth and the heavens, even the weakest human beings bring praise to their Creator. David"s point was that even small children acknowledge and honor God, whereas older, more sophisticated adults often deny Him (cf. Matthew 21:16). God has chosen to use the weak things of this world to correct the strong (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:27). Reportedly the young child of an atheist couple once asked his parents, "Do you think God knows we don"t believe in Him?"

Context Summary

Psalm 8:1-9 - God's Glory In Man's Headship
This exquisite ode can reach perfect fulfillment only in our Lord, Hebrews 2:6-9. It was evidently composed at night, and probably dates from the early shepherd days, when wild creatures crept around the fold and night-birds screamed above, reminding the singer of the animal world over which man was meant to reign.
The ascription of Psalms 8:1-2 is very fine. Christ is so mighty that when His strength is given to babes they vanquish and silence His foes, Matthew 21:16; 1 Corinthians 1:25. Do not regret your helplessness, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. The comparison of Psalms 8:3-4 is striking. It is a great descent from Adonai above the heavens to the son of Adam ("dust"). But the king loves his child more than his palace. What must not be the worth of man, of whom God makes so much! The crown of creation was placed on man's brow. Sin wrecked it, but the Son of man regained it, Matthew 28:18; Isaiah 11:6-9; Romans 8:19-22. The holy soul has the talisman of rule, 1 Corinthians 3:22. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 8

1  God's glory is magnified by his works, and by his love to man

What do the individual words in Psalms 8:2 mean?

Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength because of Your enemies that You may silence the enemy and the avenger
מִפִּ֤י עֽוֹלְלִ֨ים ׀ וְֽיֹנְקִים֮ יִסַּ֪דְתָּ֫ עֹ֥ז לְמַ֥עַן צוֹרְרֶ֑יךָ לְהַשְׁבִּ֥ית א֝וֹיֵ֗ב וּמִתְנַקֵּֽם

מִפִּ֤י  Out  of  the  mouth 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: פֶּה  
Sense: mouth.
עֽוֹלְלִ֨ים ׀  of  babes 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: עֹולֵל 
Sense: child, boy.
וְֽיֹנְקִים֮  and  nursing  infants 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: יָנַק 
Sense: to suckle, nurse, suck.
יִסַּ֪דְתָּ֫  You  have  ordained 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: יָסַד 
Sense: to found, fix, establish, lay foundation.
עֹ֥ז  strength 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֹז  
Sense: might, strength.
לְמַ֥עַן  because 
Parse: Preposition
Root: לְמַעַן 
Sense: purpose, intent prep.
צוֹרְרֶ֑יךָ  of  Your  enemies 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: צָרַר 
Sense: to bind, be narrow, be in distress, make narrow, cause distress, besiege, be straitened, be bound.
לְהַשְׁבִּ֥ית  that  You  may  silence 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Hifil, Infinitive construct
Root: שָׁבַת 
Sense: to cease, desist, rest.
א֝וֹיֵ֗ב  the  enemy 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: אֹיֵב  
Sense: (Qal) enemy.
וּמִתְנַקֵּֽם  and  the  avenger 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hitpael, Participle, masculine singular
Root: נָקַם  
Sense: to avenge, take vengeance, revenge, avenge oneself, be avenged, be punished.