Devine Scripture

Psalms 8:3

What does Psalms 8:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 8:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Psalms 8:3 means

The psalmist reflects on the awe-inspiring sight of the night sky, describing the heavens as the "work of thy fingers," emphasizing God's personal and intricate involvement in creation. He specifically notes the orderly arrangement of the "moon and the stars," recognizing that God has precisely appointed their place and function. This contemplation of the celestial bodies leads to a profound question about humanity's significance, setting up the central theme of the psalm regarding man's place within God's vast universe. The celestial grandeur naturally sparks a search for meaning.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have put in their places;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected praise, because of thy enemies, that thou mayst destroy the enemy and the avenger.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

After declaring God's glory and His use of the weak, this verse shifts to a direct observation of God's handiwork in the cosmos. It bridges the general declaration of God's glory with the focused inquiry about humanity. This visual contemplation of the heavens serves as the catalyst for the profound questions posed in the next verse, providing the immense backdrop against which man's smallness will be contrasted, making God's condescension all the more remarkable.

v.2Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou established strength, Because of thine adversaries, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

v.3This passage

v.4What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 11:20

    But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.

  • Job 22:12

    Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are!

  • Romans 1:20

    For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse:

  • Genesis 1:1

    In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

  • Psalms 33:6

    By the word of Jehovah were the heavens made, And all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

  • Job 25:5

    Behold, even the moon hath no brightness, And the stars are not pure in his sight:

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