Psalms 8:6

KJV

Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all [things] under his feet:

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou madest him to have dominion {H4910} over the works {H4639} of thy hands {H3027}; thou hast put {H7896} all things under his feet {H7272}:

Complete Jewish Bible

you had him rule what your hands made, you put everything under his feet -

Berean Standard Bible

You made him ruler of the works of Your hands; You have placed everything under his feet:

American Standard Version

Thou makest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 8:6 is a profound declaration of God's sovereign appointment of humanity to a position of delegated authority and stewardship over His creation. Following a contemplation of God's majestic glory in the cosmos, the psalmist marvels that the Almighty would bestow such honor upon human beings, granting them comprehensive dominion over the "works of thy hands," signifying a unique and exalted role as vice-regents in the earthly realm.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 8 is a hymn of praise and wonder, contrasting the infinite majesty of God, as displayed in the heavens (verses 1-2), with the seemingly insignificant nature of humanity. The psalmist, likely David, moves from cosmic awe to a deep theological reflection on humanity's place in God's grand design. Verses 3-5 express astonishment that God would "be mindful" of or "visit" humankind, considering their smallness in comparison to the vastness of the universe. Verse 6 then elaborates on *how* God has honored humanity, specifying the gift of dominion. This verse is the climax of the psalm's argument regarding human dignity and sets the stage for the New Testament's Christological interpretation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of "dominion" (Hebrew: *mashal*) is deeply rooted in the ancient Near Eastern understanding of kingship and divine representation. In many ANE cultures, kings were seen as divine representatives, exercising authority on behalf of their gods. However, the biblical account uniquely extends this royal mandate to all humanity, not just a king, as seen in the creation narrative. The phrase "under his feet" is a common ancient idiom signifying complete subjugation, victory, or authority, often used in military contexts to denote conquest or in royal contexts to show a king's rule over his subjects or enemies. This idiom would have been immediately understood by the original audience as a powerful symbol of comprehensive control. The psalm reflects a worldview where God is the ultimate sovereign, and humanity's authority is entirely derived from and dependent upon Him.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several foundational biblical themes. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **human dignity and unique status**, emphasizing that humanity, though small, is crowned with "glory and honor" by God ([Psalms 8:5](/psalms/8-5 "Psalms 8:5 - Humanity Crowned with Glory")). Secondly, it highlights **delegated authority and stewardship**, revealing that humanity's dominion is not inherent but a divine appointment, a gift from the Creator. This echoes the original creation mandate given to Adam and Eve in [Genesis 1:26-28](/genesis/1-26 "Genesis 1:26-28 - The Creation Mandate"), where God commands them to "have dominion" and "subdue" the earth. Thirdly, the verse speaks to the **scope of this authority**, with "all things" and "under his feet" signifying a comprehensive, though limited and responsible, rule over the non-human creation. This theme sets up the tension that humanity has largely failed to live up to this mandate, pointing forward to its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dominion (מָשַׁל, _mashal_):** This Hebrew verb means "to rule," "to govern," "to reign," or "to have authority over." It implies a delegated, active, and responsible form of leadership, not an oppressive or exploitative one. The use of *mashal* here directly links to the creation account in [Genesis 1:26](/genesis/1-26 "Genesis 1:26 - Human Dominion Mandate"), where God declares His intention for humanity to "have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth." This signifies that humanity's rule is a divine commission, reflecting God's own sovereignty.
* **Works of thy hands:** This phrase refers to the entirety of God's creation, particularly the earthly realm and its creatures. It emphasizes that everything over which humanity is given dominion originates from God, reinforcing His ultimate ownership and the derivative nature of human authority. It reminds the reader that humanity's rule is over God's property, necessitating a posture of stewardship rather than absolute ownership.
* **Under his feet:** This is a powerful and widespread ancient Near Eastern idiom signifying complete subjugation, mastery, or authority. It conveys the idea of total control and triumph over something. In this context, it illustrates the comprehensive nature of the dominion God has granted to humanity over the created order, implying that all the earth's creatures and resources are subject to human management and governance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands;":** This clause establishes God as the active agent ("Thou madest") and humanity ("him," referring to humankind in general) as the recipient of a divinely bestowed privilege. The verb "madest" (from Hebrew *chaser*, meaning "to cause to lack nothing," or "to give full authority") emphasizes the deliberate and generous act of God in bestowing this high status. The object of this dominion is "the works of thy hands," which encompasses all of creation, particularly the living creatures and the earth itself, over which humanity is appointed to rule.
* **"thou hast put all [things] under his feet:":** This second clause functions as a strong parallel, reinforcing and expanding upon the first. "Thou hast put" again highlights God's active role in establishing this order. "All [things]" reiterates the comprehensive scope of this delegated authority, leaving no part of the earthly creation outside of humanity's charge. The idiom "under his feet" concretely illustrates the extent of this control, signifying that humanity is given a position of mastery and authority over the created order, with everything subjected to their governance.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 8:6 employs several effective literary devices to convey its profound message. The primary device is **Parallelism**, specifically **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the second line ("thou hast put all [things] under his feet") expands upon and reinforces the idea presented in the first line ("Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands"). Both clauses articulate the same core concept of delegated authority, but the second clause uses a vivid idiom to intensify the sense of comprehensive control. The phrase "works of thy hands" is an example of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human characteristics (hands) to God, which serves to make God's creative and active involvement more relatable and tangible. Furthermore, the expression "under his feet" functions as a powerful **Metaphor** or **Idiom**, transforming an action of physical subjugation into a symbol of absolute authority and mastery, effectively communicating the extent of the dominion granted to humanity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a cornerstone for understanding humanity's intended role in God's creation. It articulates the concept of humanity as God's vice-regents, created in His image and entrusted with the responsibility to govern and care for the earth. This delegated dominion is not a license for exploitation but a call to stewardship, reflecting God's own wise and benevolent rule. It speaks to the incredible dignity and purpose woven into the fabric of human existence, highlighting that our authority is derived from and accountable to the Creator. While the psalm paints an ideal picture of humanity's intended state, it also subtly sets the stage for the recognition that humanity, marred by sin, has largely failed to perfectly fulfill this mandate, leading to brokenness in creation and in human relationships with it.

* [Genesis 1:26-28](/genesis/1-26 "Genesis 1:26-28 - The Creation Mandate")
* [Hebrews 2:6-8](/hebrews/2-6 "Hebrews 2:6-8 - Christ's Fulfillment of Psalm 8")
* [1 Corinthians 15:27](/1_corinthians/15-27 "1 Corinthians 15:27 - All Things Subject to Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 8:6 offers a profound perspective on human identity and purpose. It reminds us that our very existence is crowned with divine honor and entrusted with immense responsibility. This verse calls us to embrace our role as stewards of God's creation, recognizing that the earth and its resources are not ours to exploit but to manage with wisdom, care, and reverence for the Creator. It challenges us to consider how we exercise our influence and power in the world—whether in our personal lives, our communities, or on a global scale—and to align our actions with God's original intention for benevolent dominion. Understanding this verse also brings a sobering awareness of humanity's fallen state; we have often failed to live up to this noble mandate, leading to environmental degradation, injustice, and brokenness. Yet, it also points to the hope that in Christ, this original design for humanity is perfectly fulfilled and ultimately restored.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's original design for humanity in Psalm 8:6 inform our view of human dignity and responsibility today?**
* **In what specific ways can we, as individuals and communities, better live out our mandate of responsible stewardship over the "works of thy hands"?**
* **How does the New Testament's reinterpretation of this verse in Christ challenge or affirm our understanding of our own role in creation and our hope for its future?**

### FAQ
**Does "all things" literally mean everything, including other humans?**

Answer: In the immediate context of Psalm 8 and its echoes in [Genesis 1:26-28](/genesis/1-26 "Genesis 1:26-28 - The Creation Mandate"), "all things" primarily refers to the non-human created order: the animals, the earth, and its resources. Humanity's dominion is over the natural world, not over other human beings. The Bible consistently presents human relationships as those of equality and mutual respect, not one of dominion of one person over another. While human authority structures exist (governments, families), they are distinct from the dominion over creation described here. The New Testament's application of this verse to Christ in [Hebrews 2:8](/hebrews/2-8 "Hebrews 2:8 - All Things Subject to Christ") expands the scope of "all things" to include spiritual powers and death, but this is uniquely applied to the resurrected and exalted Christ, not to fallen humanity.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of the "image of God"?**

Answer: Psalm 8:6 is deeply intertwined with the concept of the *imago Dei*, or the "image of God," as presented in [Genesis 1:26-27](/genesis/1-26 "Genesis 1:26-27 - Humanity in God's Image"). To be made in God's image is not just about possessing certain attributes (reason, morality, spirituality) but also about having a specific function: to represent God's rule on earth. The dominion mandate in Psalm 8:6 is the practical outworking of being made in God's image. Humanity is given authority to rule over creation as God's vice-regents, reflecting His own sovereign and benevolent governance. Our ability to exercise dominion is a direct consequence and expression of being crowned with "glory and honor" ([Psalms 8:5](/psalms/8-5 "Psalms 8:5 - Humanity Crowned with Glory")) and bearing God's likeness.

**Is this verse about humanity's inherent power or God's gift?**

Answer: This verse unequivocally emphasizes that humanity's dominion is a gracious gift and appointment from God, not an inherent power. The repeated phrases, "Thou madest him" and "thou hast put," clearly attribute the source of this authority to God alone. Humanity does not possess this dominion by right or by its own strength; it is a delegated authority, a trust from the Creator. This distinction is crucial because it underscores humanity's accountability to God for how this dominion is exercised. It prevents human pride and calls for humility, recognizing that our power is always derivative and subject to the ultimate authority of the One who bestowed it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 8:6 initially speaks of humanity's delegated dominion over creation, its ultimate and perfect fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ. The New Testament writers, particularly the author of Hebrews, take this psalm and apply it directly to Jesus, recognizing that humanity, marred by sin, has failed to perfectly exercise the dominion God intended. [Hebrews 2:6-9](/hebrews/2-6 "Hebrews 2:6-9 - Jesus, the Perfect Man and Lord") quotes Psalm 8:4-6, noting that while "we do not yet see all things put under his [humanity's] feet," we do see "Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour." Jesus, as the perfect "Son of Man" and the incarnate Son of God, is the only one who truly embodies and flawlessly fulfills God's original design for humanity. Through His obedient life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, [He has conquered sin and death](/1_corinthians/15-25 "1 Corinthians 15:25 - Christ's Reign Until All Enemies are Under His Feet"), and [all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus"). [Ephesians 1:22](/ephesians/1-22 "Ephesians 1:22 - Christ's Supremacy Over All Things") further affirms that God "hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church." Thus, the dominion initially granted to humanity finds its perfect and ultimate expression in Christ's cosmic lordship, and it is through our union with Him that believers are called to participate in His redemptive work and the future restoration of creation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.