The Meaning of Psalms 8:6 Explained

Psalms 8:6

KJV: Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

YLT: Thou dost cause him to rule Over the works of Thy hands, All Thou hast placed under his feet.

Darby: Thou hast made him to rule over the works of thy hands; thou hast put everything under his feet:

ASV: Thou makest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thou madest him to have dominion  over the works  of thy hands;  thou hast put  all [things] under his feet: 

What does Psalms 8:6 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 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: Psalms 8

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

What do the individual words in Psalms 8:6 mean?

You made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands all [things] You have put under his feet
תַּ֭מְשִׁילֵהוּ בְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣י יָדֶ֑יךָ כֹּ֝ל שַׁ֣תָּה תַֽחַת־ רַגְלָֽיו

תַּ֭מְשִׁילֵהוּ  You  made  him  to  have  dominion 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, second person masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: מָשַׁל  
Sense: to rule, have dominion, reign.
בְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣י  over  the  works 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: מַעֲשֶׂה  
Sense: deed, work.
יָדֶ֑יךָ  of  Your  hands 
Parse: Noun, fdc, second person masculine singular
Root: יָד  
Sense: hand.
כֹּ֝ל  all  [things] 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
שַׁ֣תָּה  You  have  put 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: שִׁית  
Sense: to put, set.
תַֽחַת־  under 
Parse: Preposition
Root: מִתְחָה 
Sense: the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas.
רַגְלָֽיו  his  feet 
Parse: Noun, fdc, third person masculine singular
Root: רֶגֶל  
Sense: foot.