Psalms 8:5

KJV

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

KJV (with Strong's)

For thou hast made him a little {H4592} lower {H2637} than the angels {H430}, and hast crowned {H5849} him with glory {H3519} and honour {H1926}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You made him but little lower than the angels, you crowned him with glory and honor,

Berean Standard Bible

You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor.

American Standard Version

For thou hast made him but little lower than God, And crownest him with glory and honor.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 8:5 stands as a profound declaration of humanity's unique and exalted status within God's creation. Despite the vastness of the cosmos and humanity's apparent insignificance, the psalmist marvels at God's astonishing condescension and deliberate act of bestowing immense dignity upon mankind, positioning us just below divine beings and adorning us with regal splendor and inherent worth. This verse encapsulates the paradox of human frailty and divine favor, setting the stage for understanding humanity's intended role and ultimate fulfillment in Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 8 is a majestic hymn of praise, opening with an exclamation of God's glorious name throughout the earth. The psalm transitions from the cosmic grandeur of the heavens in [Psalms 8:1-4](/psalms/8 "Psalm 8 - God's Glory and Man's Dignity")—where the moon and stars are seen as God's handiwork and human beings appear as mere specks—to a radical shift in perspective. Verse 5, the focal point, introduces the astonishing truth that this seemingly insignificant humanity is, in fact, crowned with glory and honor by God Himself. This sets the stage for the subsequent verses ([Psalms 8:6-8](/psalms/8-6 "Psalm 8:6-8 - Humanity's Dominion Over Creation")), which detail the dominion God has graciously entrusted to humanity over the earth and its creatures, culminating in a reaffirmation of God's excellent name.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed by King David, this psalm reflects the ancient Israelite understanding of God as the sovereign Creator, distinct from the polytheistic cosmologies of surrounding cultures that often deified natural forces or saw humanity as subservient to capricious deities. In contrast, Psalm 8 presents a personal God who actively engages with His creation and elevates humanity to a position of unique dignity. While other ancient Near Eastern texts might describe kings as divine or semi-divine, Psalm 8 democratizes this concept, extending a form of "royal" dignity to all humanity, albeit as God's vice-regents. The imagery of "crowning" resonates with royal investiture ceremonies, emphasizing the bestowed authority and honor.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is central to several overarching themes within the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. It highlights **Human Dignity and Value**, asserting that humanity, though physically small, holds an unparalleled place in God's eyes, endowed with inherent worth not earned but gifted. It underscores **Divine Grace and Condescension**, demonstrating God's unmerited favor in exalting humanity far beyond what their physical stature might suggest. Furthermore, it lays the groundwork for the theme of **Stewardship and Dominion**, as the "glory and honor" bestowed upon humanity are intrinsically linked to the responsibility of ruling over creation as God's representatives, as detailed in [Genesis 1:26-28](/genesis/1-26 "Genesis 1:26-28 - Humanity Created in God's Image with Dominion"). Most profoundly, the verse carries significant **Messianic Foreshadowing**, as its application in the New Testament, particularly in [Hebrews 2:6-9](/hebrews/2-6 "Hebrews 2:6-9 - Christ's Temporary Humbling and Exaltation"), reveals its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies and restores humanity's intended glory.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Angels (Hebrew, _ʾĕlōhîm'_):** The Hebrew word אֱלֹהִים (ʾĕlōhîm) most commonly refers to God (as in the plural of majesty) or gods. However, in this specific context, particularly when contrasted with "man" and followed by the phrase "a little lower," it is widely understood by ancient translations (such as the Septuagint, which renders it as ἄγγελοι, "angels") and New Testament interpretation ([Hebrews 2:7](/hebrews/2-7 "Hebrews 2:7 - Application of Psalm 8 to Christ")) to refer to divine beings or heavenly messengers. The nuance here is that humanity is placed just below these celestial beings, indicating an extraordinary, almost divine, proximity and status.
* **A little lower (Hebrew, _mĕʿaṭ'_):** The Hebrew word מְעַט (mĕʿaṭ) can carry a dual meaning: "a little while" (referring to a temporary duration) or "by a small degree" (referring to a slight difference in rank or status). Both interpretations hold significant theological weight. In the context of humanity, it suggests a slight but crucial distinction from divine beings. In the New Testament's application to Christ, it powerfully conveys His temporary humbling through incarnation and suffering, becoming "lower" for a brief period before His ultimate exaltation.
* **Glory (Hebrew, _kābôd'_):** The Hebrew word כָּבוֹד (kābôd) signifies weight, substance, honor, splendor, and reputation. It often describes the manifest presence of God or the inherent dignity and majesty of a king. Here, it denotes the intrinsic worth and radiant splendor with which God has endowed humanity, reflecting His own character.
* **Honour (Hebrew, _hādār'_):** The Hebrew word הָדָר (hādār) conveys majesty, dignity, beauty, and splendor. It is often used in parallel with _kābôd_ to emphasize the regal and magnificent status bestowed. Together, "glory and honour" paint a picture of humanity as being adorned with royal attire, signifying a divinely appointed position of dignity and authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels":** This clause reveals God's deliberate act of creation and positioning. The "him" refers to humanity (man, as in [Psalms 8:4](/psalms/8-4 "Psalm 8:4 - What is Man?")). The astonishing truth is that the Creator has placed humanity just beneath the celestial beings, granting them an elevated status that distinguishes them from the rest of creation. This is not a statement of human insignificance but of profound divine favor, setting humanity apart in the cosmic order.
* **"and hast crowned him with glory and honour":** This second clause describes the specific nature of the dignity bestowed. The imagery of "crowning" evokes a royal investiture, signifying the conferral of regal authority and majestic status. The "glory and honour" are not inherent to humanity by nature but are sovereign gifts from God, signifying humanity's role as God's vice-regents on earth, entrusted with a share of His own magnificent rule and splendor. This crowning is an act of divine grace, not human merit.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 8:5 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Imagery** is central, particularly the vivid picture of God "crowning" humanity. This evokes the solemn and majestic act of bestowing royal dignity and authority, transforming the seemingly insignificant human into a figure of regal splendor. The phrase "a little lower than the angels" utilizes **Comparison** to establish humanity's unique rank in the created order, placing it just beneath divine beings. There is also an element of **Contrast** woven throughout Psalm 8, where the vastness and majesty of the cosmos (seen in [Psalms 8:3](/psalms/8-3 "Psalm 8:3 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory")) are contrasted with the apparent frailty of humanity ([Psalms 8:4](/psalms/8-4 "Psalm 8:4 - What is Man?")), only for the subsequent revelation in verse 5 to highlight humanity's astonishingly exalted position through divine grace. This paradoxical juxtaposition emphasizes the surprising nature of God's favor.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 8:5 is a cornerstone verse for understanding biblical anthropology and Christology. Theologically, it grounds humanity's inherent dignity not in our own abilities or achievements, but in God's deliberate creative act and gracious bestowal of "glory and honour." This echoes the creation narrative in [Genesis 1:26-28](/genesis/1-26 "Genesis 1:26-28 - Humanity Created in God's Image and Dominion"), where humanity is made in God's image and given dominion over creation. The verse thus establishes humanity's intended, pre-Fall status. However, its most profound theological significance is revealed in the New Testament, where the author of Hebrews applies this psalm directly to Jesus Christ. This application transforms the understanding of human glory, showing that while humanity fell short of this intended glory through sin, Christ perfectly fulfilled and restored it. He, in His incarnation, truly became "a little lower than the angels" through suffering and death, only to be "crowned with glory and honour" through His resurrection and ascension, thereby becoming the pioneer of our salvation and the perfect embodiment of humanity's intended destiny.

* [Genesis 1:26-28](/genesis/1-26 "Genesis 1:26-28 - Humanity in God's Image and Dominion")
* [Hebrews 2:6-9](/hebrews/2-6 "Hebrews 2:6-9 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")
* [Philippians 2:5-11](/philippians/2-5 "Philippians 2:5-11 - The Kenosis and Exaltation of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 8:5 invites us to gaze upon the vastness of God's creation and then to turn our gaze inward, recognizing the astonishing dignity and purpose with which we have been endowed by our Creator. In a world that often diminishes human worth or bases it on fleeting achievements, this verse reminds us that our value is an unearned gift from God, a "crowning" of glory and honor. This understanding should cultivate both profound humility and unwavering confidence. Humility, because this exalted status is not of our own making but a testament to God's grace; confidence, because if God has so highly esteemed us, then our lives hold immense purpose and potential. It calls us to live in a manner consistent with this divine investiture, exercising responsible stewardship over creation and reflecting the character of the One who crowned us. Ultimately, our truest dignity is found in aligning our lives with God's original design and, more perfectly, with the example and redemptive work of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's "crowning" of humanity with glory and honor impact your self-perception and sense of worth?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals and as a community, live out the "glory and honour" God has bestowed upon humanity in our daily lives?**
* **Considering humanity's fallen state, how does the truth of Psalms 8:5 point to our need for redemption and restoration in Christ?**

### FAQ
**Who are the "angels" that humanity is made "a little lower than" in this verse?**

Answer: The Hebrew word used here is _ʾĕlōhîm_ (אֱלֹהִים), which most commonly refers to God or gods. However, in this context, especially when contrasted with "man" and followed by "a little lower," it is widely understood by ancient translations (like the Septuagint) and New Testament interpretation (specifically [Hebrews 2:7](/hebrews/2-7 "Hebrews 2:7 - Application of Psalm 8 to Christ")) to refer to divine beings or angels. The sense is that humanity is placed just beneath these celestial beings in the created order, indicating an extraordinary and exalted status given by God. It highlights humanity's unique position, distinct from the animal kingdom yet subordinate to the divine realm.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 8:5 finds its most profound and ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the verse initially speaks of humanity's intended dignity, the fall into sin tragically marred this glory, leaving humanity short of God's original design ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). However, the New Testament, particularly the book of Hebrews, reveals that Jesus perfectly embodies and restores the glory and honor spoken of in Psalm 8. [Hebrews 2:6-9](/hebrews/2-6 "Hebrews 2:6-9 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation") directly quotes Psalms 8:4-6, explaining that Jesus, in His incarnation, willingly became "a little lower than the angels" by taking on human flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Incarnation of the Word")) and experiencing suffering and death for the sake of humanity ([Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Self-Emptying and Obedience")). This temporary humiliation was not a sign of weakness but of profound obedience and love, enabling Him to taste death for everyone. Through His resurrection and ascension, Jesus was then "crowned with glory and honour" ([Hebrews 2:9](/hebrews/2-9 "Jesus Crowned with Glory and Honor")), not only restoring humanity's lost dignity but elevating it to an even greater height in His glorified humanity at the right hand of God ([Ephesians 1:20-23](/ephesians/1-20 "Ephesians 1:20-23 - Christ Seated at God's Right Hand")). Thus, Christ is the true Man, the perfect Adam, who perfectly lived out the intended glory of humanity and, in so doing, became the means by which all who believe in Him can have their own glory and honor restored and ultimately share in His eternal reign ([Revelation 5:12-13](/revelation/5-12 "Revelation 5:12-13 - The Lamb is Worthy")).

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

Hebrews 2:7

Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

Hebrews 2:9

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Genesis 1:26

¶ 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.

Genesis 1:27

So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Hebrews 2:16

For verily he took not on [him the nature of] angels; but he took on [him] the seed of Abraham.

Philippians 2:7

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Philippians 2:11

And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.