The Meaning of Psalms 8:8 Explained

Psalms 8:8

KJV: The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

YLT: Bird of the heavens, and fish of the sea, Passing through the paths of the seas!

Darby: The fowl of the heavens, and the fishes of the sea, whatever passeth through the paths of the seas.

ASV: The birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, Whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

The fowl  of the air,  and the fish  of the sea,  [and whatsoever] passeth through  the paths  of the seas. 

What does Psalms 8:8 Mean?

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 8:8 mean?

the birds of the air and the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas
צִפּ֣וֹר שָׁ֭מַיִם וּדְגֵ֣י הַיָּ֑ם עֹ֝בֵ֗ר אָרְח֥וֹת יַמִּֽים

צִפּ֣וֹר  the  birds 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct
Root: צִפֹּור  
Sense: bird, fowl.
שָׁ֭מַיִם  of  the  air 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: שָׁמַיִם  
Sense: heaven, heavens, sky.
וּדְגֵ֣י  and  the  fish 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: דָּאג 
Sense: fish.
הַיָּ֑ם  of  the  sea 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: יָם  
Sense: sea.
עֹ֝בֵ֗ר  that  pass  through 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: עָבַר 
Sense: to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress.
אָרְח֥וֹת  the  paths 
Parse: Noun, common plural construct
Root: אֹרַח  
Sense: way, path.
יַמִּֽים  of  the  seas 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: יָם  
Sense: sea.

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

Loading Information...