Psalms 8:1

KJV

¶ To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent [is] thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

KJV (with Strong's)

To the chief Musician {H5329} upon Gittith {H1665}, A Psalm {H4210} of David {H1732}. O LORD {H3068} our Lord {H113}, how excellent {H117} is thy name {H8034} in all the earth {H776}! who hast set {H5414} thy glory {H1935} above the heavens {H8064}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the leader. On the gittit. A psalm of David: ADONAI! Our Lord! How glorious is your name throughout the earth! The fame of your majesty spreads even above the heavens!

Berean Standard Bible

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens.

American Standard Version

O Jehovah, our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth, Who hast set thy glory upon the heavens!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 8:1 serves as a majestic overture to a psalm of profound praise, declaring the unparalleled sovereignty and magnificent splendor of God. It immediately establishes the divine transcendence, celebrating the Lord's glorious character and reputation as supremely excellent, not merely within a localized context but universally manifest across all creation, with His glory exalted even beyond the celestial spheres.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 8:1 functions as the superscription and opening declaration of Psalm 8. The superscription, "To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David," provides crucial information regarding its authorship by King David and its intended use in public worship, likely with a specific musical accompaniment or tune known as "Gittith." This opening verse immediately sets a tone of awe and adoration, establishing God's supreme majesty before the psalmist transitions in subsequent verses to reflect on humanity's place within God's vast creation, particularly in relation to the heavens (e.g., [Psalms 8:3](/psalms/8-3 "Psalms 8:3 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory")). The psalm moves from God's cosmic glory to His intimate care for humanity, making this initial declaration foundational for the theological arguments that follow.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed by David, a king and a worshiper, this psalm likely reflects his personal contemplation of God's creation, perhaps under the vast, star-filled skies of ancient Israel. The mention of "Gittith" is debated but may refer to a musical instrument, a tune associated with Gath, or even a vintage song, suggesting its integration into Israel's liturgical practices. In a polytheistic ancient Near Eastern world, where gods were often associated with specific territories or natural phenomena, David's declaration of Yahweh's "excellent name in all the earth" and His glory "above the heavens" was a radical affirmation of monotheism and God's universal, transcendent sovereignty, distinguishing Him sharply from local deities. This hymn would have served to reinforce the unique identity and worship of the God of Israel among His people.
* **Key Themes:** This opening verse introduces several pivotal themes that permeate Psalm 8 and the broader Psalter. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Transcendence**, asserting God's absolute rule and His glory extending beyond all created limits. The phrase "O LORD our Lord" underscores both God's covenant relationship with His people and His universal dominion, a concept echoed in passages like [Isaiah 6:1-3](/isaiah/6-1 "Isaiah 6:1-3 - God's Glory Fills the Temple"). Another key theme is the **Excellence of God's Name**, where "name" signifies His revealed character, attributes, and reputation. This excellence is not hidden but is openly displayed "in all the earth," setting the stage for the psalm's exploration of God's glory in creation (as seen in [Psalms 19:1](/psalms/19-1 "Psalms 19:1 - The Heavens Declare the Glory of God")). Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **God's Relationship with Humanity**, as the subsequent verses will marvel at God's condescension to crown humanity with glory and honor despite His infinite majesty, making this initial declaration of His greatness all the more striking.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yahweh'_):** This is the Tetragrammaton (YHWH), God's personal, covenant name, revealed to Moses (e.g., [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - I AM WHO I AM")). It signifies God's self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His promises. Its use here emphasizes the intimate, relational aspect of the God being praised.
* **Lord (Hebrew, _Adonai'_):** This title means "master," "sovereign ruler," or "owner." When paired with _Yahweh_, as in "O LORD our Lord," it powerfully combines God's covenant intimacy with His absolute authority and universal dominion over all creation and humanity.
* **excellent (Hebrew, _addir'_):** This word conveys a sense of majestic, mighty, glorious, and noble. It describes something of overwhelming greatness and splendid power. The psalmist uses it to express the supreme, incomparable quality of God's character and manifest presence.
* **glory (Hebrew, _hod'_):** This term refers to majesty, splendor, vigor, and honor. It speaks of the visible manifestation of God's inherent greatness, authority, and radiant presence. To say God has "set His glory above the heavens" means His inherent splendor transcends even the most magnificent parts of His creation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David.":** This is the superscription, providing details about the psalm's authorship (David), its intended recipient (the chief musician, indicating liturgical use), and possibly its musical setting ("Gittith," perhaps a tune or instrument). It frames the psalm as an inspired song for corporate worship.
* **"O LORD our Lord,":** This dual address is a powerful invocation. The first "LORD" (Yahweh) emphasizes God's personal, covenant name, highlighting His unique relationship with Israel. The second "Lord" (Adonai) signifies His absolute sovereignty and mastery over all. Together, they proclaim the God of covenant as the supreme ruler.
* **"how excellent [is] thy name in all the earth!":** This is an exclamation of profound awe. "Excellent" (_addir_) denotes supreme majesty and splendor. "Thy name" represents God's revealed character, attributes, and reputation. The declaration that this excellence is manifest "in all the earth" asserts His universal presence and the pervasive evidence of His greatness.
* **"who hast set thy glory above the heavens.":** This clause emphasizes God's transcendence. His "glory" (_hod_) is His inherent majesty and splendor. To say it is "above the heavens" means it surpasses even the vastness and grandeur of the cosmos, indicating His supreme authority, power, and uncreated nature, which is superior to all created things.

#### Literary Devices
The opening verse of Psalm 8 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, a direct address to an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, evident in the psalmist's direct cry, "O LORD our Lord." This immediately draws the worshiper into an intimate, yet reverent, conversation with the divine. **Hyperbole** is also present in the declaration that God's glory is "above the heavens," an exaggeration used to emphasize the immeasurable and transcendent nature of God's majesty, surpassing even the most expansive and awe-inspiring elements of creation. Furthermore, the concept of God's "name" representing His entire character and reputation is a form of **Metonymy**, where a closely associated attribute stands for the whole. This allows the psalmist to encapsulate the entirety of God's being and actions within a single powerful concept, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of His excellence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 8:1 lays the theological groundwork for understanding God's relationship with His creation and humanity. It establishes God as the sovereign, transcendent Lord whose glory is not confined to a temple or a nation but is universally manifest and supremely excellent. This declaration of His cosmic majesty serves to magnify His condescension, making His subsequent attention to humanity (as explored in later verses of the psalm) all the more remarkable. The dual address "O LORD our Lord" encapsulates both His covenant faithfulness (Yahweh) and His universal dominion (Adonai), presenting a God who is both intimately involved and infinitely powerful. This foundational truth invites worship and humility, recognizing that the Creator of the universe is also the one who cares for His people.

* [Psalms 19:1](/psalms/19-1 "Psalms 19:1 - The Heavens Declare the Glory of God")
* [Isaiah 6:3](/isaiah/6-3 "Isaiah 6:3 - Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts")
* [Revelation 4:11](/revelation/4-11 "Revelation 4:11 - Worthy Are You, Our Lord and God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 8:1 calls us to lift our gaze beyond the immediate and mundane, to contemplate the infinite majesty of God. In a world often consumed by self-importance or overwhelmed by human problems, this verse reorients our perspective, reminding us of the ultimate reality: God's unparalleled excellence and His glory that transcends all creation. Acknowledging "O LORD our Lord" means recognizing Him as both our covenant God and our absolute sovereign. This recognition should evoke profound awe, leading to genuine worship and a deep sense of humility. When we grasp the vastness of His glory, our own concerns shrink in comparison, yet simultaneously, our trust in His providential care grows, knowing that such a powerful and excellent God is actively involved in His creation and in our lives. This verse encourages a posture of adoration and submission, finding security and purpose in the greatness of the One who reigns supreme.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does contemplating God's "excellent name in all the earth" impact your daily perspective and priorities?**
* **In what ways does recognizing God's glory "above the heavens" humble you and inspire worship?**
* **How does the dual address "O LORD our Lord" inform your understanding of God's character and His relationship with you?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the phrase "O LORD our Lord" in Psalms 8:1?**

Answer: The phrase "O LORD our Lord" is highly significant, representing a powerful combination of God's personal covenant name and His universal title of sovereignty. The first "LORD" (capitalized) translates the Hebrew _Yahweh_ (יהוה), the ineffable, personal name of God revealed to Moses, signifying His self-existence, eternal nature, and covenant faithfulness (see [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - I AM WHO I AM")). The second "Lord" translates the Hebrew _Adonai_ (אֲדֹנָי), which means "master" or "sovereign ruler." By combining these two, the psalmist emphasizes that the God who has entered into a personal, covenant relationship with His people is also the absolute, supreme ruler over all creation. This dual address underscores both God's intimate accessibility and His transcendent authority, inviting both reverence and trust. It proclaims that the God who is "our" God is also the sovereign Lord of all.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 8:1, with its declaration of God's "excellent name" and His glory "above the heavens," finds its ultimate fulfillment and most profound expression in the person of Jesus Christ. While the psalm initially praises God the Father as the Creator, the New Testament reveals that all things were created through and for Christ, the very "image of the invisible God" ([Colossians 1:15-17](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15-17 - Christ is the Image of the Invisible God")). Jesus is the One through whom God's glory is most perfectly revealed, being the "radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")). The "excellent name" of God is supremely manifested in the "name that is above every name," the name of Jesus, at which "every knee should bow" ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - The Exaltation of Christ")). Furthermore, the glory that God has set "above the heavens" is the glory into which Christ ascended after His resurrection, taking His rightful place at the right hand of the Father, where He now reigns as Lord of all ([Acts 2:33-36](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33-36 - Jesus Exalted as Lord and Christ")). Thus, Psalm 8:1 not only extols the Father's cosmic majesty but also prefigures the unparalleled glory and universal dominion of the Son, Jesus Christ, through whom we truly know and worship the excellent name of our Lord.

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.

Cross-References

Psalms 8:9

O LORD our Lord, how excellent [is] thy name in all the earth!

Psalms 113:2

Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.

Psalms 113:4

The LORD [is] high above all nations, [and] his glory above the heavens.

Psalms 148:13

Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory [is] above the earth and heaven.

Psalms 57:5

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; [let] thy glory [be] above all the earth.

Psalms 57:10

For thy mercy [is] great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.

Psalms 57:11

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: [let] thy glory [be] above all the earth.