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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 8:4 what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/8-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/19_Psa_008_004.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 8:4 - How Majestic is Your Name!" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/8-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/8-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/8-3.htm" title="Psalm 8:3">◄</a> Psalm 8:4 <a href="/psalms/8-5.htm" title="Psalm 8:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/8.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />What is man that You think of him, And a son of man that You are concerned about him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />What is man that You remember him, And the son of man that You care for him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of [earthborn] man that You care for him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man that you look after him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />what is man that You remember him, the son of man that You look after him? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then I ask, "Why do you care about us humans? Why are you concerned for us weaklings?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />what is a mortal that you remember him or the Son of Man that you take care of him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />what are human beings, that you think of them; mere mortals, that you care for them? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />what is man that you take notice of him, or the son of man that you pay attention to him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />what is man, that you think of him, and the son of man that you care for him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />what is man, that you think of him? What is the son of man, that you care for him? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />What [is] man that You remember him? The son of man that You inspect him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> What is man that Thou rememberest him? The son of man that Thou inspectest him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />What is man that thou wilt remember him? and the son of man that thou wilt review him?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />What is man that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 8:5>What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you visit him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />What is man that you are mindful of him, and a son of man that you care for him? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />What is man, that you remember him, and a son of man that you visit him?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that Thou thinkest of him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/8-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=625" 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">3</span>When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place— <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: māh- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">what</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’ĕ·nō·wōš (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">is man</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/2142.htm" title="2142: ṯiz·kə·ren·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms:: 3mse) -- Remember. A primitive root; properly, to mark, i.e. To remember; by implication, to mention; also to be male.">You are mindful of him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ū·ḇen- (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">or the son</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">of man</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/6485.htm" title="6485: ṯip̄·qə·ḏen·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms:: 3mse) -- To attend to, visit, muster, appoint. A primitive root; to visit; by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.">You care for him?</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor.…<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 2:6-8</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="/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="/genesis/1-26.htm">Genesis 1:26-28</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. / God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/144-3.htm">Psalm 144:3-4</a></span><br />O LORD, what is man, that You regard him, the son of man that You think of him? / Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/25-6.htm">Job 25:6</a></span><br />how much less man, who is but a maggot, and the son of man, who is but a worm!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-15.htm">Psalm 103:15-16</a></span><br />As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field; / when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more.<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.<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="/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="/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_peter/5-6.htm">1 Peter 5:6-7</a></span><br />Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. / Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a></span><br />You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-20.htm">Romans 8:20-21</a></span><br />For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:18-21</a></span><br />I said to myself, “As for the sons of men, God tests them so that they may see for themselves that they are but beasts.” / For the fates of both men and beasts are the same: As one dies, so dies the other—they all have the same breath. Man has no advantage over the animals, since everything is futile. / All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/2-22.htm">Isaiah 2:22</a></span><br />Put no more trust in man, who has only the breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">What is man, that you are mindful of him? and the son of man, that you visit him?</p><p class="hdg">What</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/144-3.htm">Psalm 144:3</a></b></br> LORD, what <i>is</i> man, that thou takest knowledge of him! <i>or</i> the son of man, that thou makest account of him!</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/6-18.htm">2 Chronicles 6:18</a></b></br> But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/7-17.htm">Job 7:17</a></b></br> What <i>is</i> man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?</p><p class="hdg">son</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/4-2.htm">Psalm 4:2</a></b></br> O ye sons of men, how long <i>will ye turn</i> my glory into shame? <i>how long</i> will ye love vanity, <i>and</i> seek after leasing? Selah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/80-17.htm">Psalm 80:17</a></b></br> Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man <i>whom</i> thou madest strong for thyself.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/146-3.htm">Psalm 146:3</a></b></br> Put not your trust in princes, <i>nor</i> in the son of man, in whom <i>there is</i> no help.</p><p class="hdg">visitest</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/106-4.htm">Psalm 106:4</a></b></br> Remember me, O LORD, with the favour <i>that thou bearest unto</i> thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/21-1.htm">Genesis 21:1</a></b></br> And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/4-31.htm">Exodus 4:31</a></b></br> And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/40-4.htm">Account</a> <a href="/job/39-11.htm">Care</a> <a href="/job/7-18.htm">Inspectest</a> <a href="/psalms/1-2.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-31.htm">Mindful</a> <a href="/job/11-16.htm">Rememberest</a> <a href="/job/41-32.htm">Think</a> <a href="/job/35-2.htm">Thinkest</a> <a href="/psalms/5-1.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/job/7-18.htm">Visitest</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/10-13.htm">Account</a> <a href="/psalms/22-9.htm">Care</a> <a href="/job/7-18.htm">Inspectest</a> <a href="/psalms/10-3.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/psalms/9-12.htm">Mindful</a> <a href="/psalms/88-5.htm">Rememberest</a> <a href="/psalms/35-25.htm">Think</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-5.htm">Thinkest</a> <a href="/psalms/10-12.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/psalms/17-3.htm">Visitest</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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/psalms/8.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>What is man</b><br />The phrase "What is man" invites us to ponder the nature and significance of humanity. In Hebrew, the word for "man" is "enosh," which emphasizes human frailty and mortality. This term reminds us of our humble beginnings and our dependence on God. In the grand scheme of creation, humanity might seem insignificant, yet this question sets the stage for recognizing the profound value and purpose God has bestowed upon us. The psalmist's inquiry reflects a sense of wonder and humility, acknowledging that despite our limitations, we are the focus of God's attention and care.<p><b>that You are mindful of him</b><br />The phrase "that You are mindful of him" speaks to God's attentive care and consideration for humanity. The Hebrew word for "mindful" is "zakar," which means to remember or to think about. This suggests that God is not distant or indifferent but is actively engaged in our lives. It is a profound truth that the Creator of the universe is intimately aware of each individual. This mindfulness is not just a passive awareness but an active, loving concern for our well-being. It reassures us of our worth and significance in God's eyes, despite our smallness in the vastness of creation.<p><b>or the son of man</b><br />The term "son of man" is a Hebrew idiom that refers to human beings in general. It emphasizes our identity as descendants of Adam, highlighting our shared humanity and the common experiences that bind us together. In the broader biblical context, "son of man" is also a title used for Jesus Christ, particularly in the New Testament, where it underscores His role as the representative and redeemer of humanity. Here, it serves to remind us of our connection to one another and to Christ, who took on human form to bridge the gap between God and man.<p><b>that You care for him</b><br />The phrase "that You care for him" reveals the depth of God's love and concern for humanity. The Hebrew word "paqad" is used here, which can mean to visit, attend to, or care for. This conveys the idea of God's active involvement in our lives, not just as a distant observer but as a loving caretaker. God's care is comprehensive, encompassing every aspect of our existence. It is a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles and joys; God is with us, providing guidance, support, and comfort. This divine care is a testament to God's grace and mercy, underscoring the special relationship between the Creator and His creation.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Man . . .</span> <span class= "bld">son of</span> <span class= "bld">man . . .</span>--The first, possibly, with suggestion of frailty; the second to his life derived from human ancestry. The answer to this question must always touch the two poles, of human frailty on the one hand, and the glory of human destiny on the other. "O the grandeur and the littleness, the excellence and the corruption, the majesty and the meanness, of man."--<span class= "ital">Pascal.</span><p>The insignificance of man compared to the stars is a common theme of poetry; but how different the feeling of the Hebrew from that of the modern poet, who regrets the culture by which he had been<p>"Brought to understand<p>A sad astrology, the boundless plan<p>That makes you tyrants in your iron skies,<p>Innumerable, pitiless, passionless eyes,<p>Cold fires, yet with power to burn and brand<p>His nothingness into man."--TENNYSON: <span class= "ital">Maud.</span><p>And yet, again, how far removed from the other pole of modern feeling, which draws inanimate nature into close sympathy with human joy or sorrow, expressed in the following words:--"When I have gazed into these stars, have they not looked down upon me as if with pity from their serene spaces, like eyes glistening with heavenly tears over the little lot of man?"--<span class= "ital">Carlyle.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">What is man, that thou art mindful of him?</span> In comparison with the lofty heavens, the radiant moon, and the hosts of sparkling stars, man seems to the psalmist wholly unworthy of God's attention. He is not, like Job, impatient of God's constant observation (<a href="/job/7-17.htm">Job 7:17-20</a>), but simply filled with wonder at his marvellous condescension (comp. <a href="/psalms/144-3.htm">Psalm 144:3</a>). And the son of man, that thou visitest him? The "son of man" here is a mere variant for "man" in the preceding hemistich. The clause merely emphasizes the general idea. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/8-4.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">what</span><br /><span class="heb">מָֽה־</span> <span class="translit">(māh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is man</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱנ֥וֹשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·nō·wōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_582.htm">Strong's 582: </a> </span><span class="str2">Man, mankind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You are mindful [of him],</span><br /><span class="heb">תִזְכְּרֶ֑נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṯiz·kə·ren·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2142.htm">Strong's 2142: </a> </span><span class="str2">To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or the son</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבֶן־</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇen-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of man</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֝דָ֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You care for him?</span><br /><span class="heb">תִפְקְדֶֽנּוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṯip̄·qə·ḏen·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6485.htm">Strong's 6485: </a> </span><span class="str2">To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/8-4.htm">Psalm 8:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/8-4.htm">Psalm 8:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/8-4.htm">Psalm 8:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/8-4.htm">Psalm 8:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/8-4.htm">Psalm 8:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/8-4.htm">Psalm 8:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/8-4.htm">Psalm 8:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/8-4.htm">Psalm 8:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/8-4.htm">Psalm 8:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/8-4.htm">Psalm 8:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/8-4.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 8:4 What is man that you think (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/8-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 8:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 8:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/8-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 8:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 8:5" /></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>