God's glory is magnified by his works, and by his love to man.
0To the 1chief Musician upon 2Gittith, A Psalm of David.
1 See the first annotation at Psalm 4 in the title.
2 This some do also hold for a certain tone, or an instrument of music, accommodated for the singing and playing of psalms, used by the descendants of Obed-Edom, who was a Levite and a singer, called the Gittith, 2 Sam. 6:10. The Hebrew word Gath (whence Gittith seems to be derived) is the name of a famous city of the Philistines (where some do guess this instrument was first found) and also signifies a winepress or oil press; which, together with the contents of this psalm, some make the conjecture that this psalm was made for the purpose to be sung as a psalm of praise and thanksgiving in the vintage time.
1O LORD our Lord, how 3excellent is thy 4name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory 5above the heavens.
3 Or, illustrious, strong, excellent, renowned. So Isa. 33:21; Jer. 30:21. The Hebrew word is likewise ascribed to the great ones of the earth, Judges 5:13, 25; Neh. 3:5; Jer. 14:3; 25:34, 35; and to the godly, Psalm 16:3, even to the roaring waters of the Red Sea, Exod. 15:10; always signifying an extraordinary excellence.
4 That is, Thyself, by the fame and renown of Thy power, wisdom and goodness, which shows forth itself in all Thy works.
5 That is, Whose majesty is incomprehensible and infinite. Compare 1 Kings 8:27. Or, Thou, Who manifestest most gloriously Thy majesty above all visible heavens. Compare Eph. 4:10.
2Out of thea mouth of 6babes and 7sucklings hast thou 8ordained 9strength because of thine 10enemies, that thou mightest 11still the enemy and the 12avenger.
a Mat. 21:16.
6 Understand such little ones, who already begin to make use of their speech and understanding, running and playing in the streets. Compare Jer. 6:11; 9:21; Lam. 1:5; Mat. 21:16; although the Hebrew word is sometimes used differently, see Job 3:16.
7 On whom God shows forth His wonderful power, goodness and providence, in order that they are a very strong and indisputable proof. See how the Lord Christ has applied these words in Mat. 21:16.
8 That is, firmly ordained, decreed and accomplished. Compare Esther 1:8; Psalm 11:3.
9 Other, strong or powerful praise, that is, the praise of Thy power or strength. So Psalm 29:1; 96:7; 118:14. Compare Mat. 21:16.
10 That is, to shame the deniers and despisers of Thy Divine government and providence.
11 That is, to subdue and curb him, and to make him desist from his blasphemous purposes.
12 Hebr. him who revenges himself.
313When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy 14fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou 15hast ordained;
13 Other, For I behold, or shall behold, etc.
14 That is, which Thou, with Thy wonderful wisdom, hast wrought so ingeniously. This is a similitude taken from those who work very artfully with their fingers, such as tapestry workers, embroiderers, etc.
15 Understand upon this: as such do I think by myself, or exclaim thus:
4Whatb is 16man, that thou art 17mindful of him? and 18the son of man, that thou visitest him?
bJob 7:17; Psalm 144:3; Heb. 2:6.
16 Or, frail, wretched man. The Hebrew word enosh is derived from a word that signifies to be very weak, yea sick and feeble unto death. See Job 5 on verse 17.
17 By this being mindful and visiting of God there is principally understood the entire work of grace shown to fallen mankind in the Messiah, our Lord Christ; whereunto belongs also what follows. Compare further Gen. 8 on verse 1; Gen. 21 on verse 1.
18 Or, Adam’s child. See 1 Kings 8 on verse 39.
5For thou hast made him 19a 20little lower than the 21angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
19 These words are particularly applied by the apostle to our Lord Christ, Heb. 2:9.
20 That is, not much, a small degree, but for a short time. See Psalm 2 on verse 12.
21 Hebr. elohim, which here signifies angels. See Heb. 2:9.
6Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thouc hast put 22all things under his feet:
c1 Cor. 15:27.
22 This is declared further in the sequel.
7All 23sheep and 24oxen, yea, and the 25beasts of the field;
23 That is, small cattle. See Gen. 12 on verse 16.
24 That is, large cattle.
25 Understand the wild animals. See of the Hebrew word Gen. 1 on verse 26; Gen. 6 on verse 7.
826The fowl of the 27air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the 28seas.
26 See of the Hebrew word tsippor, Lev. 14 on verse 4.
27 Or, of heaven, that is, of the air, as frequently elsewhere.
28 That is, all manner of confluences of waters. See Gen. 1 on verse 10.
9O LORD our Lord, 29how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
29 As verse 1.