Psalms – Chapter 8

Old Testament • 10 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 8 of Psalms begins: "Unto the end, for the presses: a psalm for David." David stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 10 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and God's kingdom and kingship. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Unto the end, for the presses: a psalm for David.

2O Lord, our Lord, how admirable is thy name in the whole earth! For thy magnificence is elevated above the heavens.

3Out 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.

4For I will behold thy heavens, the works of thy fingers: the moon and the stars which thou hast founded.

5What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

6Thou hast made him a little less than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honour:

7And hast set him over the works of thy hands.

8Thou hast subjected all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen: moreover, the beasts also of the fields.

9The birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea, that pass through the paths of the sea.

10O Lord, our Lord, how admirable is thy name in the whole earth!

Important Verses in Psalms 8

“O Lord, our Lord, how admirable is thy name in the whole earth! For thy magnificence is elevated above the heavens.”

Psalms 8:2

“Thou hast made him a little less than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honour:”

Psalms 8:6

“O Lord, our Lord, how admirable is thy name in the whole earth! ”

Psalms 8:10

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Psalms was written with god's people at prayer in every age in view. Chapter 8 of 150 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a liturgical poem composed for Temple worship and personal prayer with 10 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on David, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. It opens with the line: "Unto the end, for the presses: a psalm for David." It concludes: "O Lord, our Lord, how admirable is thy name in the whole earth! " The wider setting of Psalms is this: The 150 Psalms are the inspired prayer book of Israel and of the Church, spanning every human emotion—praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and hope. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Who Wrote It

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists

When It Was Written

Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile

Catholic Commentary

The poem's language was meant to be prayed aloud, giving voice to the full range of human experience before the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 2: "O Lord, our Lord, how admirable is thy name in the whole earth! For thy magnificence is elevated above the heavens." The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

Catholic exegesis reads Psalms 8 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). St. Jerome and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 618).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • ✓God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.

People in This Chapter

David1 mention

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches Psalms Chapter 8 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that prayer, praise, and the full range of human emotion before God is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing the reality of spiritual combat and vigilance.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 1324) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalms Chapter 8 about?

Psalms 8 contains 10 verses. It opens with "Unto the end, for the presses: a psalm for David." and closes with "O Lord, our Lord, how admirable is thy name in the whole earth! ". The book as a whole is liturgical poetry and prayer.

What is a key verse in Psalms 8?

One of the most significant verses is verse 2: "O Lord, our Lord, how admirable is thy name in the whole earth! For thy magnificence is elevated above the heavens." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Psalms Chapter 8?

This chapter mentions David.

Who wrote Psalms and when?

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists. Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Related Chapters

2 Samuel 6Shares people and themes with this chapter1 Kings 1Shares people and themes with this chapter2 Kings 11Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Gloria in Excelsis🙏The Divine Praises🙏The Our Father🙏Novena to Christ the King

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