Psalm 8
For the End; concerning the winepresses; a psalm by David.

O Lord, our Lord, how wondrous is Your
Name in all the earth,
For Your splendor is exalted far beyond the heavens.
From the mouths of babies and nursing infants
You prepared praise because of Your
Enemies.
That You may destroy the enemy and
Avenger.
For I shall look at the heavens, the
Works of Your fingers,
The moon and stars You established.
What is man that You remember him,
Or the son of man that You visit him?
You made him a little lower than the angels;
You crowned him with glory and honor.
You set him over the works of Your
Hands;
You subjected all things under his feet,
All sheep and oxen.
And besides these, also the animals of the field,
The birds of heaven and the fish of the
Sea,
And the things passing through the
Paths of seas.
O Lord, our Lord, how wondrous is
Your name in all the earth.

Commentary from the Orthodox Study Bible

Ps 8 speaks of the Incarnate Lord; (2) His name is wondrous. . . in all the earth, and He is exalted far beyond the heavens (v. 2; see also Php 2:9-11). (2) He brings forth praise from His humble people, who are likened to little children (v. 3; see also Mt 18:1-4; 21:15, 16). (3) He is the Creator of the universe (v. 4; see also Heb 1:10-12). (4) He remembered man and his mortal nature, for example, his fall into death and decay in the grave, and thus, became incarnate to redeem him from death and to crown him with glory and honor (vv. 5-9; see also Heb 2:6-10). (5) Because of the things mentioned above, the incarnate Lord’s name is wondrous in all the earth.
Ps 8 is the communion hymn on Lazarus Saturday, the day before Palm Sunday, and it is also sung at Palm Sunday Orthros (Matins).

Thoughts

The world is so beautiful. God gives us dominion over his creation. Lord, help us make choices as we take care of that which you have put under our control. Amen.