Psalms 8:4
What does Psalms 8:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 8:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 8:4 means
In light of the immense vastness of the heavens and God's infinite greatness, the psalmist expresses profound wonder at humanity's significance. "What is man, that thou art mindful of him?" highlights the astonishing fact that the all-powerful Creator would pay any attention to such a seemingly insignificant creature. The question, "And the son of man, that thou visitest him?" further emphasizes God's direct and personal engagement with humanity, suggesting a deliberate and caring interaction. This verse captures the essence of God's condescending love for His creation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him?
KJV
King James Version · 1611What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949What is man, that you keep him in mind? the son of man, that you take him into account?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862What <FI>is<Fi> man that Thou rememberest him? The son of man that Thou inspectest him?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For I will behold thy heavens, the works of thy fingers: the moon and the stars which thou hast founded.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Context
This verse presents the rhetorical question that lies at the heart of Psalm 8. It directly follows the psalmist's meditation on the vastness of the heavens, establishing the dramatic contrast between God's immense creation and humanity's apparent insignificance. This question sets the stage for the following verses, which will provide the astonishing answer to why God holds humanity in such high regard, despite our smallness in the grand scheme of the universe.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 106:4
Remember me, O Jehovah, with the favor that thou bearest unto thy people; Oh visit me with thy salvation,
- Psalms 4:2
O ye sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? How longwill ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood? [Selah
- 2 Chronicles 6:18
But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have builded!
- Ezekiel 8:15
Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? thou shalt again see yet greater abominations than these.
- Hebrews 2:6
But one hath somewhere testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
- Luke 1:68
Blessedbethe Lord, the God of Israel; For he hath visited and wrought redemption for his people,
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