Psalms 8:4
Psalms 8:4 in Multiple Translations
what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him?
What is man, that you keep him in mind? the son of man, that you take him into account?
What are human beings that you should concern yourself with them? What are people that you should care for them?
What is man, say I, that thou art mindefull of him? and the sonne of man, that thou visitest him?
What [is] man that Thou rememberest him? The son of man that Thou inspectest him?
what is man, that you think of him? What is the son of man, that you care for him?
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
For I will behold thy heavens, the works of thy fingers: the moon and the stars which thou hast founded.
it is amazing to me that [RHQ] you think about people, that you are concerned about us humans!
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 8:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 8:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּֽי
אֶרְאֶ֣ה
שָׁ֭מֶי/ךָ
מַעֲשֵׂ֣י
אֶצְבְּעֹתֶ֑י/ךָ
יָרֵ֥חַ
וְ֝/כוֹכָבִ֗ים
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
כּוֹנָֽנְתָּה
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אֶרְאֶ֣ה
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
שָׁ֭מֶי/ךָ
shâmayim
H8064
heaven
N-mp | Suff
מַעֲשֵׂ֣י
maʻăseh
H4639
deed
N-mp
אֶצְבְּעֹתֶ֑י/ךָ
ʼetsbaʻ
H676
finger
N-fp | Suff
יָרֵ֥חַ
yârêach
H3394
moon
N-ms
וְ֝/כוֹכָבִ֗ים
kôwkâb
H3556
star
Conj | N-mp
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
כּוֹנָֽנְתָּה
kûwn
H3559
to establish
V-o-Perf-2ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 8:4
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אֶרְאֶ֣ה
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
שָׁ֭מֶי/ךָ
shâmayim
H8064
"heaven"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for heaven or sky, it refers to the visible universe and the abode of God. It is often used in the Bible to describe the dwelling place of celestial bodies.
Definition: 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible heavens, sky 1a1) as abode of the stars 1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc 1b) Heaven (as the abode of God) Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
Usage: Occurs in 395 OT verses. KJV: air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s). See also: Genesis 1:1; 1 Samuel 2:10; Job 28:21.
מַעֲשֵׂ֣י
maʻăseh
H4639
"deed"
N-mp
This Hebrew word refers to an action or deed, which can be good or bad. It is used to describe various activities, such as work, business, or achievements. The KJV translates it as act, deed, or labor.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) deed, work 1a) deed, thing done, act 1b) work, labour 1c) business, pursuit 1d) undertaking, enterprise 1e) achievement 1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment) 1g) work, thing made 1h) work (of God) 1i) product
Usage: Occurs in 221 OT verses. KJV: act, art, [phrase] bakemeat, business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making, occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, [idiom] well, (handy-, needle-, net-) work(ing, -manship), wrought. See also: Genesis 5:29; Job 1:10; Psalms 8:4.
אֶצְבְּעֹתֶ֑י/ךָ
ʼetsbaʻ
H676
"finger"
N-fp | Suff
In Hebrew, this word refers to a finger or a toe, something used to grasp or hold things. It is used in the Bible to describe both the fingers on the hand and the toes on the feet. The Aramaic equivalent is also 'digit'.
Definition: finger, toe Aramaic equivalent: ets.ba (אֶצְבַּע "digit" H0677)
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: finger, toe. See also: Exodus 8:15; Numbers 19:4; Psalms 8:4.
יָרֵ֥חַ
yârêach
H3394
"moon"
N-ms
This word refers to the moon, the natural satellite of the earth. It is used in the Bible to describe the moon and its phases.
Definition: moon
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: moon. Yrechow. See H3405 (יְרִיחוֹ). See also: Genesis 37:9; Psalms 121:6; Psalms 8:4.
וְ֝/כוֹכָבִ֗ים
kôwkâb
H3556
"star"
Conj | N-mp
A star is a round or shining celestial body, and can also symbolize a prince or leader. It is used figuratively in the Bible to describe the Messiah or God's omniscience.
Definition: 1) star 1a) of Messiah, brothers, youth, numerous progeny, personification, God's omniscience (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: star(-gazer). See also: Genesis 1:16; Job 25:5; Psalms 8:4.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
כּוֹנָֽנְתָּה
kûwn
H3559
"to establish"
V-o-Perf-2ms
This verb means to set something up or establish it, like setting up a tent or appointing someone to a position, as seen in Isaiah 7:14.
Definition: : prepare/direct 1) to be firm, be stable, be established 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be set up, be established, be fixed 1a1a) to be firmly established 1a1b) to be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring 1a1c) to be fixed, be securely determined 1a2) to be directed aright, be fixed aright, be steadfast (moral sense) 1a3) to prepare, be ready 1a4) to be prepared, be arranged, be settled 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to establish, set up, accomplish, do, make firm 1b2) to fix, make ready, prepare, provide, provide for, furnish 1b3) to direct toward (moral sense) 1b4) to arrange, order 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be established, be fastened 1c2) to be prepared, be ready 1d) (Polel) 1d1) to set up, establish 1d2) to constitute, make 1d3) to fix 1d4) to direct 1e) (Pulal) to be established, be prepared 1f) (Hithpolel) to be established, be restored
Usage: Occurs in 211 OT verses. KJV: certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness, fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet, ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self), provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright, fast, forth), be stable, (e-) stablish, stand, tarry, [idiom] very deed. See also: Genesis 41:32; Job 18:12; Psalms 5:10.
Study Notes — Psalms 8:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 8:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 8:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 8:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 8:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 8:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 8:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 8:4
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 8:4
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 8:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 8:4
- Sermons on Psalms 8:4
Context — How Majestic Is Your Name!
2From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise on account of Your adversaries, to silence the enemy and avenger.
3When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place—
4what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?
5You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor. 6You made him ruler of the works of Your hands; You have placed everything under his feet:Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 7:17 | What is man that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart upon him, |
| 2 | Psalms 144:3 | O LORD, what is man, that You regard him, the son of man that You think of him? |
| 3 | Hebrews 2:6–9 | But somewhere it is testified in these words: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor and placed everything under his feet.” When God subjected all things to him, He left nothing outside of his control. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. |
| 4 | Psalms 146:3 | Put not your trust in princes, in mortal man, who cannot save. |
| 5 | Luke 1:68 | “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. |
| 6 | Matthew 8:20 | Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” |
| 7 | 2 Chronicles 6:18 | But will God indeed dwell with man upon the earth? Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built. |
| 8 | Job 25:6 | how much less man, who is but a maggot, and the son of man, who is but a worm!” |
| 9 | Psalms 80:17 | Let Your hand be upon the man at Your right hand, on the son of man You have raised up for Yourself. |
| 10 | Genesis 21:1 | Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. |
Psalms 8:4 Summary
[This verse is a beautiful expression of wonder and awe at God's care for humanity. The psalmist is amazed that, despite our smallness in the grand scheme of creation, God is mindful of us and cares for us, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11. It's a reminder that, no matter how insignificant we may feel, we are valued and loved by God, and that He has a plan to prosper us, not to harm us. This truth is reinforced in other parts of the Bible, such as Psalms 139:13-14, where God is intimately involved in our creation and formation.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the psalmist ask what man is that God is mindful of him?
The psalmist is in awe of God's greatness and wonders why God would care about humanity, given the vastness of creation, as seen in Psalms 8:3 and the majesty of the stars in the universe, similar to the thoughts in Psalms 19:1-6.
What does it mean for God to be mindful of man?
For God to be mindful of man means that He is aware of and actively involved in the lives of humans, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11, where God says He has plans to prosper and not to harm us, and in Matthew 10:30, where Jesus says that even the hairs on our heads are numbered.
How can we understand the concept of God's care for humanity in the context of this verse?
We can understand God's care for humanity by recognizing that, despite our smallness in the grand scheme of creation, God has chosen to have a personal relationship with us, as seen in John 3:16, where God gives His only Son for the salvation of the world, and in Psalms 139:13-14, where God is intimately involved in our creation and formation.
What is the significance of the phrase 'son of man' in this verse?
The phrase 'son of man' is a reference to humanity, emphasizing our earthly and finite nature, and is also a title used for Jesus Christ in the New Testament, highlighting His divine and human nature, as seen in Daniel 7:13-14 and Matthew 16:13-17.
Reflection Questions
- As you consider the vastness of the universe, how does it make you feel to know that God is mindful of you and cares for you?
- In what ways do you see God's care and involvement in your life, and how can you cultivate a deeper sense of awareness and gratitude for His presence?
- How does the knowledge of God's greatness and majesty, as seen in creation, impact your perspective on your own life and struggles?
- What are some ways you can reflect on and appreciate the value and dignity that God has given to humanity, as seen in this verse and in the rest of Scripture?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 8:4
What is man, that thou art mindful of him?.... That is, the psalmist, while he was considering the greatness and glory of the celestial bodies, thought this within himself, and so expressed it; which
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 8:4
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 8:4
What, i.e. how mean and inconsiderable a thing is man, if compared with thy glorious Majesty, who art so infinite in power and wisdom, as thou hast showed in the frame of the heavens, &c. Man, Heb. infirm or miserable man; by which it is apparent that he speaks of man, not according to the state of his creation, but as fallen into a state of sin, and misery, and mortality. Art mindful of him, i.e. carest for him, and conferrest such high favours upon him. The son of man, Heb. the son of Adam, that great apostate from and rebel against God, the sinful son of a sinful father, his son by likeness of disposition and manners, no less than by procreation; all which tends to magnify the following mercy. That thou visitest him; not in anger, as that word is sometimes used, but with thy grace and mercy, as it is taken, 106:4 144:3.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 8:4
Psalms 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?Ver. 4. What is man, that thou art mindful of him?] Sorry, sickly man, a mass of mortalities, a map of miseries, a mixture or compound of dirt and sin? And yet God is mindful of him; he not only takes care of him in an ordinary way, as he doth other creatures, but singularly attendeth and affecteth him, as a father doth his dearest child. He is Divini irigenii cura, saith one; he is the end of all in a semi-circle, saith another philosopher; meaning, that all things in the world were made for man, and man made for God; neither is there so much of the glory of God in all his works of wonder as in one gracious performance of a godly person. But if we understand the text (as the apostle doth, Hebrews 2:6) of tbe man Christ Jesus, Hic homo et filius hominis qualis et quantus est, Deus bone! saith Junius. And the son of man] Heb. of earthly men; for what is the greatest potentate but πηλοςκομφωςπεφυραμενος, a piece of clay neatly made up? (Arrian in Epictet.) That thou visitest him?] That thou mindest him more than other creatures, and makest him Lord of all? Thy visitation preserveth his spirit, Job 10:12.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 8:4
(4) Man . . . son of man . . .—The first, possibly, with suggestion of frailty; the second to his life derived from human ancestry. The answer to this question must always touch the two poles, of human frailty on the one hand, and the glory of human destiny on the other. “O the grandeur and the littleness, the excellence and the corruption, the majesty and the meanness, of man.”—Pascal.The insignificance of man compared to the stars is a common theme of poetry; but how different the feeling of the Hebrew from that of the modern poet, who regrets the culture by which he had been “Brought to understand A sad astrology, the boundless plan That makes you tyrants in your iron skies, Innumerable, pitiless, passionless eyes, Cold fires, yet with power to burn and brand His nothingness into man.”—: Maud.And yet, again, how far removed from the other pole of modern feeling, which draws inanimate nature into close sympathy with human joy or sorrow, expressed in the following words:—“When I have gazed into these stars, have they not looked down upon me as if with pity from their serene spaces, like eyes glistening with heavenly tears over the little lot of man?”—Carlyle.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 8:4
Verse 4. What is man] מה אנוש mah enosh, what is wretched, miserable man; man in his fallen state, full of infirmity, ignorance, and sin? That thou art mindful of him?] That thou settest thy heart upon him, keepest him continually in thy merciful view. And the son of man] ובן אדם uben Adam, and the son of Adam, the first great rebel; the fallen child of a fallen parent. See the note on Job 7:17. Some think eminent men are here intended. What is man in common; what the most eminent men; that thou shouldst be mindful of them, or deign to visit them? That thou visitest him?] By sending thy Holy Spirit to convince him of sin, righteousness, and judgment. It is by these visits that man is preserved in a salvable state. Were God to withhold them, there would be nothing in the soul of man but sin, darkness, hardness, corruption, and death.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 8:4
4. Then (so the ellipse may be filled up), the thought is forced upon me What is frail man that thou shouldest be mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou shouldest visit him? The words for man are chosen to emphasise his weakness in contrast to the vast and (apparently) unchanging structure of the heavens. Enosh denotes man in his frailty, impotence, mortality (Psalms 103:15); hence it is used with special frequency in Job, where man is contrasted with God (e.g. Job 4:17, where A.V. renders mortal man). Ben-âdâm (son of man) denotes man according to his earthly origin. Cp. Job’s ‘man that is born of a woman’ (Psalms 14:1). God’s ‘visitation’ of man is His constant, loving, providential, regard (Job 10:12).
It is to God’s present and continuous care that the verse refers. It is not until Psalms 8:5 that the Psalmist looks back to man’s original creation. There is an echo of these words in Psalms 144:3, and Jeremiah 15:15; and Job parodies them, when he asks in the bitterness of his soul how man can be of such importance to God that He should think it worth while to persecute him (Psalms 7:17 ff.). On the quotation of Psa 8:4-6 in Hebrews 2:6 ff., see above.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 8:4
What is man - What claim has one so weak, and frail, and short-lived, to be remembered by time? What is there in man that entitles him to so much notice? Why has God conferred on him so signal honor?
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 8:4
4. What is man—This connects with the first hemistich of Psa 8:3, thus— As often as I see thy heavens, I ask with wonder, What is man?
Sermons on Psalms 8:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Hebrews - Part 7): Inspiration and Revelation by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the question posed by King David in Psalm 8:4, "What is man that you are mindful of him?" He acknowledges that when we look at the vastness o |
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(Hebrews - Part 9): What Is Man That Thou Art Mindful of Him? by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the wickedness of mankind and how our daily conduct is evidence of our guilt. He argues that anyone who doubts the fall of man and the iniqu |
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(The Chief End of Man - Part 2): A Mirror of the Almighty by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the tragic nature of the world we live in. He mentions a recent tragic incident where five children drowned in a car accident, highlighting t |
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What Kind of Being Is Man - Part 1 by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the nature of God and highlights several characteristics of God mentioned in the scripture. He emphasizes that God is right, truth, light, li |
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We See Jesus by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of focusing on Jesus amidst the brokenness and chaos of the world. It highlights the need to see Jesus in every situation, to maintain faith a |
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K-042 True Manhood by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of complete surrender to God. He describes surrender as falling on one's face before God in utter submission. The speaker warn |
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A Story Within a Story by Dennis Kinlaw | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the brutal and violent realities of the world we live in, including the rape and murder of innocent people. He shares a story of a girl who wa |