The Meaning of Psalms 8:3 Explained

Psalms 8:3

KJV: When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

YLT: For I see Thy heavens, a work of Thy fingers, Moon and stars that Thou didst establish.

Darby: When I see thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and stars, which thou hast established;

ASV: When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

When I consider  thy heavens,  the work  of thy fingers,  the moon  and the stars,  which thou hast ordained; 

What does Psalms 8:3 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 8:3 mean?

When I consider Your heavens the work of Your fingers the moon and the stars which You have ordained
כִּֽי־ אֶרְאֶ֣ה שָׁ֭מֶיךָ מַעֲשֵׂ֣י אֶצְבְּעֹתֶ֑יךָ יָרֵ֥חַ וְ֝כוֹכָבִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר כּוֹנָֽנְתָּה

אֶרְאֶ֣ה  I  consider 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
שָׁ֭מֶיךָ  Your  heavens 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַיִם  
Sense: heaven, heavens, sky.
מַעֲשֵׂ֣י  the  work 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: מַעֲשֶׂה  
Sense: deed, work.
אֶצְבְּעֹתֶ֑יךָ  of  Your  fingers 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: אֶצְבַּע  
Sense: finger, toe.
יָרֵ֥חַ  the  moon 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: יָרֵחַ  
Sense: moon.
וְ֝כוֹכָבִ֗ים  and  the  stars 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine plural
Root: כֹּוכָב  
Sense: star.
כּוֹנָֽנְתָּה  You  have  ordained 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: כּוּן 
Sense: to be firm, be stable, be established.