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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 8:5 You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/8-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/19_Psa_008_005.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 8:5 - How Majestic is Your Name!" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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You crowned him with glory and honor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Yet Thou hast made him a little lower than God, And dost crown him with glory and majesty!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Yet You have made him a little lower than <i>the</i> angels, And You crown him with glory and majesty!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You made him little less than God and crowned him with glory and honor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You made him little less than God and crowned him with glory and honor. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For thou hast made him but little lower than God, And crownest him with glory and honor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For thou hast made him but little lower than God, and crownest him with glory and honour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You have made him a little lower than yourself. You have crowned him with glory and honor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Yet you made them inferior only to yourself; you crowned them with glory and honor. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You made him a little less than divine, but you crowned him with glory and honor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />and make them a little less than the heavenly beings? You grant mankind honor and majesty; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For you have made him a little lower than the angels. You have crowned him with glory and honor,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You make him a little lower than the gods [[or God]], "" And surround him with glory and majesty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And causest him to lack a little of Godhead, And with honour and majesty compassest him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And thou wilt diminish him a little more than the messengers, and thou wilt surround him with glory and honor.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou hast made him a little less than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honour: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 8:6>You reduced him to a little less than the Angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Yet you have made him little less than a god, crowned him with glory and honor. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast clothed him with glory and honor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />You made him a little lower than the Angels; you have clothed him in honor and in glory.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Yet Thou hast made him but little lower than the angels, And hast crowned him with glory and honour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou madest him a little less than angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honour;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/8-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=632" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/8.htm">How Majestic is Your Name!</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2637.htm" title="2637: wat·tə·ḥas·sə·rê·hū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-2ms:: 3ms) -- To lack, need, be lacking, decrease. A primitive root; to lack; by implication, to fail, want, lessen.">You made him a little</a> <a href="/hebrew/4592.htm" title="4592: mə·‘aṭ (Adj-ms) -- A little, fewness, a few. Or miat; from ma'at; a little or few.">lower</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: mê·’ĕ·lō·hîm (Prep-m:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">than the angels;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5849.htm" title="5849: tə·‘aṭ·ṭə·rê·hū (V-Piel-Imperf-2ms:: 3ms) -- To encircle, to crown. A primitive root; to encircle; especially to crown.">You crowned him</a> <a href="/hebrew/3519.htm" title="3519: wə·ḵā·ḇō·wḏ (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Rarely kabod; from kabad; properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness.">with glory</a> <a href="/hebrew/1926.htm" title="1926: wə·hā·ḏār (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- An ornament, honor, splendor. From hadar; magnificence, i.e. Ornament or splendor.">and honor.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>You made him ruler of the works of Your hands; You have placed everything under his feet:…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/2-6.htm">Hebrews 2:6-9</a></span><br />But somewhere it is testified in these words: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? / You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor / and placed everything under his feet.” When God subjected all things to him, He left nothing outside of his control. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/1-26.htm">Genesis 1:26-27</a></span><br />Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.” / So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-27.htm">1 Corinthians 15:27</a></span><br />For “God has put everything under His feet.” Now when it says that everything has been put under Him, this clearly does not include the One who put everything under Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-7.htm">Philippians 2:7-9</a></span><br />but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. / And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. / Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-16.htm">Matthew 21:16</a></span><br />“Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/7-17.htm">Job 7:17-18</a></span><br />What is man that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart upon him, / that You attend to him every morning, and test him every moment?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-22.htm">1 Peter 3:22</a></span><br />who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/1-22.htm">Ephesians 1:22</a></span><br />And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/11-7.htm">1 Corinthians 11:7</a></span><br />A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-29.htm">Romans 8:29</a></span><br />For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a></span><br />Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/7-13.htm">Daniel 7:13-14</a></span><br />In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. / And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/3-16.htm">1 Timothy 3:16</a></span><br />By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Colossians 1:16</a></span><br />For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-17.htm">Isaiah 40:17</a></span><br />All the nations are as nothing before Him; He regards them as nothingness and emptiness.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and have crowned him with glory and honor.</p><p class="hdg">thou</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/103-20.htm">Psalm 103:20</a></b></br> Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/1-26.htm">Genesis 1:26,27</a></b></br> And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a></b></br> And the LORD God formed man <i>of</i> the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.</p><p class="hdg">hast</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/21-3.htm">Psalm 21:3-5</a></b></br> For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/45-1.htm">Psalm 45:1-3,6</a></b></br> To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue <i>is</i> the pen of a ready writer… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/13-31.htm">John 13:31,32</a></b></br> Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/38-7.htm">Angels</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/3-10.htm">Beings</a> <a href="/job/38-12.htm">Causest</a> <a href="/psalms/139-3.htm">Compassest</a> <a href="/psalms/7-16.htm">Crown</a> <a href="/esther/1-11.htm">Crowned</a> <a href="/psalms/65-11.htm">Crownest</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-11.htm">Crowning</a> <a href="/psalms/8-1.htm">Glory</a> <a href="/colossians/2-9.htm">Godhead</a> <a href="/job/38-7.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-6.htm">Heavenly</a> <a href="/psalms/7-5.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/psalms/8-1.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/job/38-41.htm">Lack</a> <a href="/psalms/2-12.htm">Little</a> <a href="/job/40-10.htm">Majesty</a> <a href="/job/40-10.htm">Splendour</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/68-17.htm">Angels</a> <a href="/psalms/29-1.htm">Beings</a> <a href="/psalms/16-11.htm">Causest</a> <a href="/psalms/139-3.htm">Compassest</a> <a href="/psalms/21-3.htm">Crown</a> <a href="/psalms/65-11.htm">Crowned</a> <a href="/psalms/65-11.htm">Crownest</a> <a href="/psalms/103-4.htm">Crowning</a> <a href="/psalms/16-9.htm">Glory</a> <a href="/acts/17-29.htm">Godhead</a> <a href="/psalms/16-4.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/psalms/11-4.htm">Heavenly</a> <a href="/psalms/21-5.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/psalms/15-4.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/psalms/23-1.htm">Lack</a> <a href="/psalms/37-10.htm">Little</a> <a href="/psalms/21-5.htm">Majesty</a> <a href="/psalms/21-5.htm">Splendour</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/8-1.htm">God's glory is magnified by his works, and by his love to man</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You made him a little lower than the angels;</b><br>This phrase highlights the unique position of humanity in creation. The Hebrew word for "angels" here is "Elohim," which can also mean "God" or "heavenly beings," indicating a high status just below the divine. This reflects the creation account in <a href="/genesis/1-26.htm">Genesis 1:26-27</a>, where humans are made in the image of God, suggesting a special role and responsibility in creation. The phrase also points to the humility of Christ, who, according to <a href="/philippians/2-7.htm">Philippians 2:7</a>, took on human form, becoming "a little lower than the angels" during His earthly ministry. This temporary state emphasizes His willingness to identify with humanity fully.<p><b>You crowned him with glory and honor.</b><br>This part of the verse speaks to the dignity and authority bestowed upon humanity. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, a crown symbolizes authority and kingship. This echoes <a href="/genesis/1-28.htm">Genesis 1:28</a>, where humans are given dominion over the earth. Theologically, it points to the restored glory through Christ, as seen in <a href="/hebrews/2-9.htm">Hebrews 2:9</a>, where Jesus is crowned with glory and honor because of His suffering and death, signifying His victory over sin and death. This crowning is both a present reality for believers, who share in Christ's victory, and a future promise of eternal glory.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/8.htm">Psalm 8</a>, David was the second king of Israel and a man after God's own heart. He often reflected on God's majesty and human dignity in his psalms.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/angels.htm">Angels</a></b><br>Spiritual beings created by God, often serving as messengers or agents of His will. In this context, they represent a higher order of creation than humans.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mankind.htm">Mankind</a></b><br>The focus of this verse, referring to humanity's place in creation. Despite being lower than angels, humans are given a special status by God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/human_dignity_and_responsibility.htm">Human Dignity and Responsibility</a></b><br>God has bestowed a unique honor upon humanity, setting us apart from the rest of creation. This dignity comes with the responsibility to steward the earth and reflect God's image.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_majesty_of_god_in_creation.htm">The Majesty of God in Creation</a></b><br>Observing the order and beauty of creation should lead us to worship and acknowledge God's greatness, as David does in this psalm.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/christ's_fulfillment_of_human_potential.htm">Christ's Fulfillment of Human Potential</a></b><br>Jesus, being made a little lower than the angels in His incarnation, perfectly fulfills the role and potential of humanity, ultimately being crowned with glory and honor.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/our_identity_in_christ.htm">Our Identity in Christ</a></b><br>As believers, our identity and worth are found in Christ, who elevates us to a position of honor before God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_with_purpose.htm">Living with Purpose</a></b><br>Understanding our God-given status should inspire us to live purposefully, seeking to honor God in all aspects of life.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_'lower_than_angels'_conflict_scripture.htm">Does the phrase “a little lower than the angels” (Psalm 8:5) conflict with other scriptures that portray humanity as entirely separated from the divine or angelic realm? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_sexual_misconduct.htm">What does the Bible say about sexual harassment and assault?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_true_meaning_of_glory.htm">What is the true meaning of human glory?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_keep_heart_and_actions_pure.htm">What does reverence for God mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) The Hebrew poet dwells on neither of these aspects, but at once passes on to the essential greatness of man and his superiority in creation, by reason of his moral sense and his spiritual likeness to God. Another English poet sings to the stars:--<p>"'Tis to be forgiven<p>That, in our aspirations to be great,<p>Our destinies o'erleap their mortal state,<p>And claim a kindred with you."<p>--BYRON: <span class= "ital">Childe Harold.</span><p>But the psalmist looks beyond the bright worlds to a higher kinship with God Himself.<p><span class= "bld">For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">thou makest him want but a little from God: i.e., </span>hast made him little less than Divine. We should read, however, instead of <span class= "ital">"for </span>thou," "<span class= "ital">and </span>thou hast made," &c. The Authorised Version follows the LXX. in a translation suggested doubtlessly by the desire to tone down an expression about the Deity that seemed too bold. That version was adopted in his quotation by the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews (<a href="/context/hebrews/2-6.htm" title="But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that you are mindful of him? or the son of man that you visit him?">Hebrews 2:6-7</a>). (See Note in <span class= "ital">New Testament Commentary.</span>) Undoubtedly the word Elohim, being used to express a class of supernatural beings, includes angels as well as the Divine being (<a href="/1_samuel/28-13.htm" title="And the king said to her, Be not afraid: for what saw you? And the woman said to Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.">1Samuel 28:13</a>; <a href="/zechariah/12-8.htm" title="In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.">Zechariah 12:8</a>). But here there is nothing in the context to suggest limitation to one part of that class. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels</span>; rather, <span class="accented">thou hast made him but a little lower than God</span> (<span class="hebrew">אלהים</span>). There is no place in the Old Testament where <span class="accented">Elohim</span> means "angels;" and, though the LXX. so translate in the present passage, and the rendering has passed from them into the New Testament (<a href="/hebrews/2-7.htm">Hebrews 2:7</a>), it cannot be regarded as critically correct. The psalmist, in considering how man has been favoured by God, goes back in thought to his creation, and remembers the words of <a href="/genesis/1-26.htm">Genesis 1:26, 27</a>, "Let us make man <span class="accented">in our own image</span>, <span class="accented">after our likeness</span>... So God created man <span class="accented">in his own image</span>, <span class="accented">in the image of God</span> created he him" (compare the still stronger expression in <a href="/psalms/82-6.htm">Psalm 82:6</a>, "I have said, Ye <span class="accented">are gods"</span>). <span class="cmt_word">And hast crowned him with glory and honour</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "and, by so <span class="accented">doing</span>, by giving him a nature but a little short of the Divine, hast put on him a crown of glory such as thou hast given to no other creature." There is a point of view from which the nature of man transcends that of angels, since <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> it is a direct transcript of the Divine (<a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27</a>); and <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> it is the nature which the Son of God assumed (<a href="/hebrews/2-16.htm">Hebrews 2:16</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/8-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You made him a little</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתְּחַסְּרֵ֣הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tə·ḥas·sə·rê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2637.htm">Strong's 2637: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lack, need, be lacking, decrease</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lower</span><br /><span class="heb">מְּ֭עַט</span> <span class="translit">(mə·‘aṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4592.htm">Strong's 4592: </a> </span><span class="str2">A little, fewness, a few</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than the angels;</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאֱלֹהִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you crowned him</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּעַטְּרֵֽהוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(tə·‘aṭ·ṭə·rê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5849.htm">Strong's 5849: </a> </span><span class="str2">To encircle, to crown</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with glory</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכָב֖וֹד</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵā·ḇō·wḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3519.htm">Strong's 3519: </a> </span><span class="str2">Weight, splendor, copiousness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and honor.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָדָ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·ḏār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1926.htm">Strong's 1926: </a> </span><span class="str2">Magnificence, ornament, splendor</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/8-5.htm">Psalm 8:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/8-5.htm">Psalm 8:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/8-5.htm">Psalm 8:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/8-5.htm">Psalm 8:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/8-5.htm">Psalm 8:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/8-5.htm">Psalm 8:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/8-5.htm">Psalm 8:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/8-5.htm">Psalm 8:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/8-5.htm">Psalm 8:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/8-5.htm">Psalm 8:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/8-5.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 8:5 For you have made him a little (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/8-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 8:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 8:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/8-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 8:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 8:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>