The Meaning of Psalms 8:5 Explained

Psalms 8:5

KJV: For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

YLT: And causest him to lack a little of Godhead, And with honour and majesty compassest him.

Darby: Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and splendour.

ASV: For thou hast made him but little lower than God, And crownest him with glory and honor.

Discover Psalms 8:5

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Psalms 8:5?

MEANING: What does Psalms 8:5 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Psalms 8:5 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Psalms 8:5?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For thou hast made him a little  lower  than the angels,  and hast crowned  him with glory  and honour. 

What does Psalms 8:5 Mean?

Study Notes

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels
In Psalms 2. Christ was presented as Jehovah's Son and King, rejected and crucified but yet to reign in Zion. In Psalms 8, while His deity is fully recognized ( Psalms 8:1 ), Psalms 110 with Matthew 22:41-46 He is seen as Son of man Psalms 8:4-6 who, "made for a little while lower than the angels, " is to have dominion over the redeemed creation Hebrews 2:6-11 . The authority here is racial and Adamic, rather than purely divine as in Psalms 2, or Davidic as in Psalms 89. That which the first man lost, the second man and "last Adam" more than regained. Hebrews 2:6-11 in connection with Psalms 8, and Romans 8:17-21 show that the "many sons" whom He is bringing to glory, are joint heirs with Him in both the royal right of Psalms 2. and the human right of Hebrews 2. See Psalms 16, next in order of the Messianic Psalms.
angel .
angels
Angel, Summary: Angel, "messenger," is used of God, of men, and of an order of created spiritual beings whose chief attributes are strength and wisdom. 2 Samuel 14:20 ; Psalms 103:20 ; Psalms 104:4 . In the O.T. the expression "the angel of the Lord" (sometimes "of God") usually implies the presence of Deity in angelic form.; Genesis 16:1-13 ; Genesis 21:17-19 ; Genesis 22:11-16 ; Genesis 31:11-13 ; Exodus 3:2-4 ; Judges 2:1 ; Judges 6:12-16 ; Judges 13:3-22 (See Scofield " Malachi 3:1 ") . The word "angel" is used of men in; Luke 7:24 ; James 2:25 ; Revelation 1:20 ; Revelation 2:1 ; Revelation 2:8 ; Revelation 2:12 ; Revelation 2:18 ; Revelation 3:1 ; Revelation 3:7 ; Revelation 3:14 In Revelation 8:3-5 . Christ is evidently meant. Sometimes angel is used of the spirit of man.; Matthew 18:10 ; Acts 12:15 . Though angels are spirits; Psalms 104:4 ; Hebrews 1:14 power is given them to become visible in the semblance of human form. Genesis 19:1 cf; Genesis 19:5 ; Exodus 3:2 ; Numbers 22:22-31 ; Judges 2:1 ; Judges 6:11 ; Judges 6:22 ; Judges 13:3 ; Judges 13:6 ; 1 Chronicles 21:16 ; 1 Chronicles 21:20 ; Matthew 1:20 ; Luke 1:26 ; John 20:12 ; Acts 7:30 ; Acts 12:7 ; Acts 12:8 etc.). The word is always used in the masculine gender, though sex, in the human sense, is never ascribed to angels.; Matthew 22:30 ; Mark 12:25 . They are exceedingly numerous.; Matthew 26:53 ; Hebrews 12:22 ; Revelation 5:11 ; Psalms 68:17 . The power is inconceivable. 2 Kings 19:35 . Their place is about the throne of God.; Revelation 5:11 ; Revelation 7:11 . Their relation to the believer is that of "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation," and this ministry has reference largely to the physical safety and well-being of believers.; 1 Kings 19:5 ; Psalms 34:7 ; Psalms 91:11 ; Daniel 6:22 ; Matthew 2:13 ; Matthew 2:19 ; Matthew 4:11 ; Luke 22:43 ; Acts 5:19 ; Acts 12:7-10 . From; Hebrews 1:14 ; Matthew 18:10 ; Psalms 91:11 it would seem that this care for the heirs of salvation begins in infancy and continues through life. The angels observe us; 1 Corinthians 4:9 ; Ephesians 3:10 ; Ecclesiastes 5:6 a fact which should influence conduct. They receive departing saints. Luke 16:22 . Man is made "a little lower than the angels," and in incarnation Christ took "for a little "time" this lower place.; Psalms 8:4 ; Psalms 8:5 ; Hebrews 2:6 ; Hebrews 2:9 that He might lift the believer into His own sphere above angels. Hebrews 2:9 ; Hebrews 2:10 . The angels are to accompany Christ in His second advent. Matthew 25:31 . To them will be committed the preparation of the judgment of the nations. Matthew 13:30 ; Matthew 13:39 ; Matthew 13:41 ; Matthew 13:42 . See Scofield " Matthew 25:32 ". The kingdom-age is not to be subject to angels, but to Christ and those for whom He was made a little lower than the angels. Hebrews 2:5 An archangel, Michael, is mentioned as having a particular relation to Israel and to the resurrections.; Daniel 10:13 ; Daniel 10:21 ; Daniel 12:1 ; Daniel 12:2 ; Judges 1:9 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:16 . The only other angel whose name is revealed Gabriel, was employed in the most distinguished services.; Daniel 8:16 ; Daniel 9:21 ; Luke 1:19 ; Luke 1:26 .
Fallen angels. Two classes of these are mentioned:
(1) "The angels which kept not their first estate place, but left their own habitation," are "chained under darkness," awaiting judgment. 2 Peter 2:4 ; Judges 1:6 ; 1 Corinthians 6:3 ; John 5:22 .
(See Scofield " Genesis 6:4 ")
(2) The angels who have Satan Genesis 3:1 as leader.
(See Scofield " Revelation 20:10 ") .
The origin of these is nowhere explicitly revealed. They may be identical with the demons.
(See Scofield " Matthew 7:22 ") . For Satan and his angels everlasting fire is prepared. Matthew 25:41 ; Revelation 20:10 .

Verse Meaning

The NIV and AV versions have interpreted the Hebrew word elohim as meaning "heavenly beings" or "angels." However, this word usually refers to God Himself, and we should probably understand it in this sense here, too. [1] God made man a little lower than Himself, in His own image that no other created beings bear. David did not say that God made man a little higher than the animals. Many scholars believe the image of God includes what God has enabled man to do, as well as what he is essentially. This includes ruling over lower forms of life ( Genesis 1:26) as God rules over all. God has crowned man with glory and majesty by giving him the authority to rule over creation as His agent. Of course, man has failed to do what God created him to do ( Hebrews 2:6-8). Jesus Christ, the last Adam ( 1 Corinthians 15:45; 1 Corinthians 15:47), will fulfill mankind"s destiny when He returns to earth and brings all creation under His control ( 1 Corinthians 15:27-28).

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 8:5 mean?

For You have made him lower a little than the angels and with glory and honor You have crowned him
וַתְּחַסְּרֵ֣הוּ מְּ֭עַט מֵאֱלֹהִ֑ים וְכָב֖וֹד וְהָדָ֣ר תְּעַטְּרֵֽהוּ

וַתְּחַסְּרֵ֣הוּ  For  You  have  made  him  lower 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Consecutive imperfect, second person masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: חָסֵר  
Sense: to lack, be without, decrease, be lacking, have a need.
מְּ֭עַט  a  little 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: מְעַט  
Sense: littleness, few, a little, fewness.
מֵאֱלֹהִ֑ים  than  the  angels 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
וְכָב֖וֹד  and  with  glory 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: כָּבֹוד  
Sense: glory, honour, glorious, abundance.
וְהָדָ֣ר  and  honor 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: הָדָר  
Sense: ornament, splendour, honour.
תְּעַטְּרֵֽהוּ  You  have  crowned  him 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, second person masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: עָטַר 
Sense: to surround.

What are the major concepts related to Psalms 8:5?

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