Psalm 8:3
When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place--
When I behold
The phrase "When I behold" invites the reader into a moment of reflection and observation. The Hebrew root for "behold" is "ra'ah," which means to see or perceive. This word suggests not just a casual glance but a deep, contemplative observation. In the context of Psalm 8, it implies a deliberate act of looking at God's creation with awe and wonder. Historically, this reflects the ancient practice of meditating on the natural world as a way to understand the divine. The psalmist is engaging in an act of worship through the simple yet profound act of observing the heavens.

Your heavens
The phrase "Your heavens" acknowledges the ownership and authorship of the heavens by God. The Hebrew word for heavens is "shamayim," which often refers to the sky or the abode of God. This term encompasses the vastness and majesty of the celestial realm. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the heavens were seen as a testament to the power and glory of the Creator. By attributing the heavens to God, the psalmist emphasizes the divine craftsmanship and authority over all creation.

the work of Your fingers
This phrase, "the work of Your fingers," uses anthropomorphic language to describe God's creative power. The Hebrew word for "work" is "ma'aseh," which denotes an action or deed. The use of "fingers" suggests precision and care, as if God intricately designed the universe with the skill of a master artisan. This imagery contrasts the vastness of the heavens with the intimate involvement of God in creation. It reflects the biblical theme of God's immanence, His closeness and attention to detail in the world He has made.

the moon and the stars
"The moon and the stars" are specific elements of the heavens that the psalmist highlights. In the Hebrew text, "yareach" (moon) and "kokhavim" (stars) are used. These celestial bodies were often associated with timekeeping and navigation in the ancient world. They symbolize constancy and order in the universe. By mentioning them, the psalmist points to the regularity and reliability of God's creation, which reflects His faithfulness and sovereignty. The moon and stars serve as a reminder of God's covenantal promises and His unchanging nature.

which You have set in place
The phrase "which You have set in place" underscores God's intentionality and sovereignty in creation. The Hebrew verb "kun" means to establish or fix firmly. This conveys the idea that the universe is not a product of chance but of divine purpose and order. In the biblical worldview, God is the ultimate architect who has arranged the cosmos with wisdom and precision. This assurance of divine order provides comfort and stability, reminding believers of God's control over the universe and their lives.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 8, David was the second king of Israel and a man after God's own heart. He often reflected on God's creation in his writings.

2. Heavens
Refers to the sky and celestial bodies, symbolizing the vastness and majesty of God's creation.

3. Moon and Stars
Specific elements of the heavens that David mentions, highlighting their beauty and the order God has established in the universe.

4. God's Fingers
A metaphorical expression indicating God's power and precision in creation, emphasizing His personal involvement and craftsmanship.

5. Creation
The act of God bringing the universe into existence, demonstrating His omnipotence and sovereignty.
Teaching Points
God's Majesty in Creation
Reflect on the vastness and beauty of the universe as a testament to God's majesty and power.

Humanity's Place in Creation
Consider our smallness in comparison to the universe, yet recognize our unique value and purpose as part of God's creation.

The Precision of God's Work
Appreciate the order and precision in creation, which reflects God's wisdom and intentionality.

Worship Through Observation
Use the observation of nature as an opportunity to worship and praise God for His creative work.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
Trust in God's control and order in the universe, which extends to His care and plan for our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does reflecting on the heavens and celestial bodies enhance your understanding of God's power and majesty?

2. In what ways can observing creation lead you to a deeper worship of God?

3. How does recognizing the precision and order in creation affect your trust in God's plan for your life?

4. What other scriptures come to mind when you think about God's creation, and how do they deepen your understanding of Psalm 8:3?

5. How can you incorporate the practice of observing and reflecting on nature into your daily spiritual life to grow closer to God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 1
The creation account where God speaks the universe into existence, establishing the foundation for understanding His power and creativity.

Job 38
God's discourse with Job, where He describes His creation of the heavens, reinforcing His authority and wisdom.

Psalm 19:1
Another psalm of David that speaks of the heavens declaring the glory of God, showing a consistent theme of creation revealing God's majesty.

Romans 1:20
Paul speaks of God's invisible qualities being understood from what has been made, connecting the observation of creation to the knowledge of God.
What is Man?John Wesley Psalm 8:3
David's Poetical SensitivenessHenry Housman.Psalm 8:1-9
God the Glorious CreatorW. Forsyth Psalm 8:1-9
God's Glory RevealedC. Short Psalm 8:1-9
Good Reasons for Praising GodHomilistPsalm 8:1-9
Lord What is Man?C. Clemance Psalm 8:1-9
Religious Affections in Their Objective GroundL. O. Thompson.Psalm 8:1-9
The Excellence of the Divine Name and Nature UniversalPsalm 8:1-9
The Excellency of the Divine NameJ. Addison Alexander, D. D.Psalm 8:1-9
The Excellent NameT. H. Barnett.Psalm 8:1-9
The Glory of God in His WorksThomas Wilcocks.Psalm 8:1-9
The Supremely Excellent NameF. B. Meyer, B. A.Psalm 8:1-9
A Sketch of the Modern AstronomyThomas Chalmers, D. D.Psalm 8:3-4
ConsideringJ. Parker, D. D.Psalm 8:3-4
Contemplations on the Starry SkyG. J. Zollikofer.Psalm 8:3-4
God Mindful of ManH. M. Gallaher, D. D.Psalm 8:3-4
God Mindful of ManDean Mansel.Psalm 8:3-4
God Mindful of ManEdward Andrews, LL. D.Psalm 8:3-4
God Mindful of ManW. M. Punshon.Psalm 8:3-4
God's Care of MenThomas Sherlock, D. D.Psalm 8:3-4
God's Idea of ManDavid J. Hill, LL. D.Psalm 8:3-4
God's Stars and Their MessageW. Walters.Psalm 8:3-4
How and Why God is Mindful of ManW. Wynn.Psalm 8:3-4
ImmortalityClement Bailhache.Psalm 8:3-4
Man and the UniverseC. Beard, B. A.Psalm 8:3-4
Man and the UniverseBishop Gore.Psalm 8:3-4
Man, What is HeHomilistPsalm 8:3-4
Man's DignityW. Harrison.Psalm 8:3-4
Man's Kinship to GodArchbishop Thompson.Psalm 8:3-4
Man's Study of HimselfHomiletic ReviewPsalm 8:3-4
Night ThoughtsThomas Fuller.Psalm 8:3-4
On the Condescension and Goodness of God to ManJohn Venn, M. A.Psalm 8:3-4
Results of ContemplationJoseph Parker, D. D.Psalm 8:3-4
Science Humiliating ManW. Ince, M. A.Psalm 8:3-4
Some Crises of Human Life and Their Moral LessonsE. J. Gough, M. A.Psalm 8:3-4
The Contradictions in Human NatureF. Thereemin, D. D.Psalm 8:3-4
The Divine Regard to ManDelta in, Sketches of Four Hundred SermonsPsalm 8:3-4
The End of ManThe EvangelistPsalm 8:3-4
The Glory of ManhoodL. A. Banks, D. D.Psalm 8:3-4
The Gospel and the Magnitude of CreationJohn Ker, D. D.Psalm 8:3-4
The Greatness and Littleness of ManJames Brand, D. D.Psalm 8:3-4
The Greatness of ManW. Ince, M. A.Psalm 8:3-4
The Jewish and the Christian Thought of ManWilliam Clarkson, B. A.Psalm 8:3-4
The Meanness and the Greatness of ManBishop Lightfoot.Psalm 8:3-4
The Revelation of God in His WorksE. A. Park, D. D.Psalm 8:3-4
The Royal Visit and its ObjectD. L. Moody.Psalm 8:3-4
The Subject of Religion -- the SoulH. P. Liddon, D. D.Psalm 8:3-4
Two Voices of NatureLyman Abbott, D. D.Psalm 8:3-4
Vastness of the Material UniverseIsaac Taylor.Psalm 8:3-4
What is ManR. W. Dale, M. A.Psalm 8:3-4
What is ManSamuel Fellows, D. D.Psalm 8:3-4
Wonders of Grace in the Height and in the DepthJ. Tholuck.Psalm 8:3-4
Work of God's FingersJohn Trapp.Psalm 8:3-4
People
David, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Behold, Consider, Establish, Established, Fingers, Hast, Heavens, Moon, Ordained, Places, Stars
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 8:3

     1260   finger of God
     1265   hand of God
     4026   world, God's creation
     4045   chaos
     4065   orderliness
     4251   moon
     4937   fate, fatalism
     5387   leisure, pastimes

Psalm 8:1-4

     4060   nature

Psalm 8:1-9

     4007   creation, and God
     5700   headship
     8662   meditation

Psalm 8:3-4

     1305   God, activity of
     4212   astronomy
     4834   light, natural
     5003   human race, and God
     5450   poverty, spiritual

Psalm 8:3-5

     5020   human nature

Psalm 8:3-6

     6710   privileges

Psalm 8:3-8

     1325   God, the Creator
     5002   human race, and creation
     5023   image of God
     5441   philosophy
     5974   value

Library
The Plan for the Coming of Jesus.
God's Darling, Psalms 8:5-8.--the plan for the new man--the Hebrew picture by itself--difference between God's plan and actual events--one purpose through breaking plans--the original plan--a starting point--getting inside. Fastening a Tether inside: the longest way around--the pedigree--the start. First Touches on the Canvas: the first touch, Genesis 3:15.--three groups of prediction--first group: to Abraham, Genesis 12:1-3; to Isaac, Genesis 26:1-5; to Jacob, Genesis 28:10-15; through Jacob,
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus

The General Deliverance
"The earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him that subjected it: Yet in hope that the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth, and travaileth in pain together until now." Rom. 8:19-22. 1. Nothing is more sure, than that as "the Lord is loving to every
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

What is Man?
"When I consider thy heaven, the work of thy fingers, the moon and stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man?" Psalm 8:3, 4. How often has it been observed, that the Book of Psalms is a rich treasury of devotion, which the wisdom of God has provided to supply the wants of his children in all generations! In all ages the Psalms have been of singular use to those that loved or feared God; not only to the pious Israelites, but to the children of God in all nations. And this book has been of sovereign
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

That Man Hath no Good in Himself, and Nothing Whereof to Glory
Lord, what is man that Thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that Thou visitest him?(1) What hath man deserved, that Thou shouldest bestow thy favour upon him? Lord, what cause can I have of complaint, if Thou forsake me? Or what can I justly allege, if Thou refuse to hear my petition? Of a truth, this I may truly think and say, Lord, I am nothing, I have nothing that is good of myself, but I fall short in all things, and ever tend unto nothing. And unless I am helped by Thee and inwardly
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Christ the Redeemer
Q-xxx: HOW DOES THE SPIRIT APPLY TO US THE REDEMPTION PURCHASED BY CHRIST? A: The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. In this answer there are two things. It is implied that Christ is the glorious purchaser of our redemption, in the words, The redemption purchased by Christ,' and it is declared that the Spirit applies to us this purchased redemption, by working in us faith, &c. The thing implied
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Since the Case is So, what is Man...
19. Since the case is so, what is man, while in this life he uses his own proper will, ere he choose and love God, but unrighteous and ungodly? "What," I say, "is man," a creature going astray from the Creator, unless his Creator "be mindful of him," [2683] and choose [2684] him freely, and love [2685] him freely? Because he is himself not able to choose or love, unless being first chosen and loved he be healed, because by choosing blindness he perceiveth not, and by loving laziness is soon wearied.
St. Augustine—On Patience

Various Experiences in Gospel Work
Soon after I discerned the one body, my brother and I visited St. James, Mo. We had labored there but a short time when Brother Warner and his company came to the town to hold a camp-meeting. When I was first introduced to Brother Warner, he made the remark, "And so you are the sister that wanted to stay in Babylon in order to get wolves to take care of Iambs?" and then broke into a hearty laugh. He referred to my remark that I was going to continue to work with the sects, so that whenever a congregation
Mary Cole—Trials and Triumphs of Faith

The Shepherd-King
'And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt them mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel! fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided Me a king among his sons. 2. And Samuel said, How can I go? If Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord. 3. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Purpose in the Coming of Jesus.
God Spelling Himself out in Jesus: change in the original language--bother in spelling Jesus out--sticklers for the old forms--Jesus' new spelling of old words. Jesus is God following us up: God heart-broken--man's native air--bad choice affected man's will--the wrong lane--God following us up. The Early Eden Picture, Genesis 1:26-31. 2:7-25: unfallen man--like God--the breath of God in man--a spirit, infinite, eternal--love--holy--wise--sovereign over creation, Psalm 8:5-8--in his own will--summary--God's
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus

The Kingdom Undivided
THE POETICAL BOOKS: Psalms Page Song of Solomon Page Proverbs Page THE PSALMS I. The Collection and Divisions: In all probability the book of one hundred and fifty psalms, as it now stands, was compiled by Ezra about 450 B.C. They are divided into five books, each closing with a benediction, evidently added to mark the end of the book. Note the number of psalms in Books 1 and 2. II. The Purposes: 1. They were originally used as songs in the Jewish Temple Worship.
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible

Christ and the Little Children
If, when Jesus was here on earth, he had shown a great interest in kings, and princes, in rich, and wise, and great men, it would not have been surprising; because he was a king and a prince, himself; he was richer than the richest, and wiser than the wisest, and greater than the greatest. But he did not do this. He took no particular notice of them; but he showed the greatest possible interest in children. When mothers brought their little ones to him, the disciples wanted to keep them away. They
Richard Newton—The Life of Jesus Christ for the Young

The History Books
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Assyrian idol-god] Thus little by little the Book of God grew, and the people He had chosen to be its guardians took their place among the nations. A small place it was from one point of view! A narrow strip of land, but unique in its position as one of the highways of the world, on which a few tribes were banded together. All around great empires watched them with eager eyes; the powerful kings of Assyria, Egypt, and Babylonia, the learned Greeks, and, in later times,
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

Christ Clothed with the True Substance of Human Nature.
1. Proof of the true humanity of Christ, against the Manichees and Marcionites. 2. Impious objections of heretics further discussed. Six objections answered. 3. Other eight objections answered. 4. Other three objections answered. 1. Of the divinity of Christ, which has elsewhere been established by clear and solid proofs, I presume it were superfluous again to treat. It remains, therefore, to see how, when clothed with our flesh, he fulfilled the office of Mediator. In ancient times, the reality
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Great Commission Given.
(Time and Place Same as Last Section.) ^A Matt. XXVIII. 18-20; ^B Mark XVI. 15-18; ^C Luke XXIV. 46, 47. ^a 18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. ^b 15 And he said unto them, Go ye ^a therefore, ^b into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. ^a and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Knowledge of God Conspicuous in the Creation, and Continual Government of the World.
1. The invisible and incomprehensible essence of God, to a certain extent, made visible in his works. 2. This declared by the first class of works--viz. the admirable motions of the heavens and the earth, the symmetry of the human body, and the connection of its parts; in short, the various objects which are presented to every eye. 3. This more especially manifested in the structure of the human body. 4. The shameful ingratitude of disregarding God, who, in such a variety of ways, is manifested within
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Creation
Q-7: WHAT ARE THE DECREES OF GOD? A: The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he has foreordained whatsoever shall come to pass. I have already spoken something concerning the decrees of God under the attribute of his immutability. God is unchangeable in his essence, and he-is unchangeable in his decrees; his counsel shall stand. He decrees the issue of all things, and carries them on to their accomplishment by his providence; I
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Conclusion.
"From Heaven He came and sought her To be His Holy Bride, With His own Blood He bought her, And for her life He died." "The Kingdom of Heaven," what is it? It is the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Christ. It is that Kingdom which was prophetically set forth by our Lord in His parables; that Kingdom, the subjects of which were described in His teaching, and redeemed by His Blood to be His own "purchased possession" (Eph. i. 14); that Kingdom which was founded through the coming of the Holy
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it?

Triumph Over Death and the Grave
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. T he Christian soldier may with the greatest propriety, be said to war a good warfare (I Timothy 1:18) . He is engaged in a good cause. He fights under the eye of the Captain of his salvation. Though he be weak in himself, and though his enemies are many and mighty, he may do that which in other soldiers
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Jesus, My Rock.
When the storm and the tempest are raging around me, Oh! where shall I flee to be safe from their shock? There are walls which no mortal hands built to surround me, A Refuge Eternal,--'Tis JESUS MY ROCK! When my heart is all sorrow, and trials aggrieve me, To whom can I safely my secrets unlock? No bosom (save one) has the power to relieve me, The bosom which bled for me, JESUS MY ROCK! When Life's gloomy curtain, at last, shall close o'er me, And the chill hand of death unexpectedly knock, I will
John Ross Macduff—The Cities of Refuge: or, The Name of Jesus

The Son and the Angels.
HEBREWS i. 4-ii. 18. The most dangerous and persistent error against which the theologians of the New Testament had to contend was the doctrine of emanations. The persistence of this error lay in its affinity with the Christian conception of mediation between God and men; its danger sprang from its complete inconsistency with the Christian idea of the person and work of the Mediator. For the Hebrew conception of God, as the "I AM," tended more and more in the lapse of ages to sever Him from all
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial;
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Upbringing of Jewish Children
The tenderness of the bond which united Jewish parents to their children appears even in the multiplicity and pictorialness of the expressions by which the various stages of child-life are designated in the Hebrew. Besides such general words as "ben" and "bath"--"son" and "daughter"--we find no fewer than nine different terms, each depicting a fresh stage of life. The first of these simply designates the babe as the newly--"born"--the "jeled," or, in the feminine, "jaldah"--as in Exodus 2:3, 6, 8.
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Fourth Commandment
Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it. Exod 20: 8-11. This
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Links
Psalm 8:3 NIV
Psalm 8:3 NLT
Psalm 8:3 ESV
Psalm 8:3 NASB
Psalm 8:3 KJV

Psalm 8:3 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Psalm 8:2
Top of Page
Top of Page