Psalm 8 5

Psalm 8:5 kjv

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

Psalm 8:5 nkjv

For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

Psalm 8:5 niv

You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.

Psalm 8:5 esv

Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

Psalm 8:5 nlt

Yet you made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor.

Psalm 8 verses

Psalm 8 5 Meaning

Psalm 8:5 encapsulates the paradoxical dignity of humanity within God's creation. Despite human frailty and apparent insignificance compared to the vast cosmos, God has endowed humankind with extraordinary status. The verse declares that God has made man only "a little lower" than divine beings or angels, yet simultaneously crowned him with remarkable "glory and honor," signifying a position of royal dignity and high esteem within God's created order. It reflects God's profound care and specific design for humanity, setting man apart with a unique purpose and high standing.

Psalm 8 5 Context

Psalm 8 is a psalm of praise to God for His majestic creation, particularly focusing on His glory revealed through the heavens and the seemingly disproportionate place of humanity within it. The preceding verses marvel at God's name throughout the earth and the heavens, and how even from the lips of infants, His strength silences adversaries. Verse 4 poses a rhetorical question about man's insignificance in comparison to God and the vast cosmos ("What is man, that You take thought of him?"). Verse 5 then answers this paradox: despite man's smallness, God has chosen to bestow upon him incredible dignity and authority. This context emphasizes not man's inherent worth, but God's gracious choice and act in elevating humanity. The historical/cultural context involves ancient Near Eastern cosmologies where deities were often seen as detached or oppressive; Psalm 8 is a powerful counter-narrative, presenting the One God as intimately involved and benevolently investing dignity in His human creation, unlike the capricious or distant gods of polytheistic myths.

Psalm 8 5 Word analysis

• For You have made him: The Hebrew word כי (kî), "for," introduces the explanation or justification for the preceding statement regarding God's consideration of man. The verb תחסרהו (takhsirēhu) comes from חסר (ḥāsar), meaning "to be diminished," "to lack," or "to make less." It is a Piel perfect verb, indicating an intensive or causative action: God actively diminished or made him lower. This highlights divine intentionality in humanity's creation and status.
• a little lower: The Hebrew מעט (mə‘aṭ) means "a little," "a short while," or "few." It can refer to a small degree or a short duration. Here, it implies a slight degree of inferiority or a temporary state of being lower, which is significant for its application to Christ's incarnation.
• than the angels: The Hebrew מֵאֱלֹהִים (mē'ělōhîm) literally means "from/than God" or "from/than divine beings." The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) renders elohim here as ἀγγέλους (angelous), meaning "angels," which is the translation adopted by the author of Hebrews in the New Testament (Heb 2:7). This translation choice shapes the subsequent theological understanding of the verse, applying it specifically to Christ's incarnation where He temporarily took a form lower than angels. However, the initial Hebrew might imply made lower than God's divine essence or directly in comparison to God Himself, given human finitude versus divine infinitude. Both interpretations convey man's creaturely status yet unique dignity.
• And You have crowned him: The Hebrew וּתְעַטְּרֵהוּ (ūṯə‘aṭṭěrēhu) comes from עטר (ʿāṭar), "to crown," "to surround with a crown." This is a Piel perfect, signifying God's direct act of bestowing a royal symbol. It denotes investiture with authority and dignity, like a monarch bestows a crown upon a regent.
• with glory and honor: The Hebrew כָּבוֹד וְהָדָר (kāḇôd wəhādār).
  • כָּבוֹד (kāḇôd) translates to "glory," "honor," "majesty," or "weight." It often refers to God's inherent majesty and the recognition or reflection of it.
  • וְהָדָר (wəhādār) means "honor," "splendor," "majesty," "dignity." These two words frequently appear together in the Psalms and prophetic books to describe God's own attributes or the profound honor He bestows. The pairing signifies a profound and magnificent status, reflective of divine favor and majesty.
• Words-group Analysis: The phrase "a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor" encapsulates the theological paradox: inherent created inferiority balanced by divinely granted, exalted dignity. It speaks to both the ontological position of humanity (being created and distinct from God/angels) and the commissioned position (given dominion, status) through God's will. The juxtaposition highlights God's grace and humanity's stewardship role.

Psalm 8 5 Bonus section

The concept of "glory and honor" bestowed upon humanity in this verse has significant theological implications. It reflects God's design for mankind to bear His image, act as His vice-regents on Earth (dominion, as implied by Ps 8:6), and share in a delegated form of His majestic rule. This God-given honor, lost in the Fall, is supremely regained and realized in Christ. When humanity is said to be "a little lower than the angels," it differentiates humans from celestial spirits, who typically possess superior wisdom, power, and perhaps a non-corporeal nature. However, the subsequent crowning indicates that while humans might be inferior in some respects, they hold a distinct position of honor and authority in God's redemptive plan that even angels do not share (cf. 1 Cor 6:3 where believers will judge angels). This intermediate status underlines humanity's unique role as bridge-creatures, both earthly and yet endowed with divine-like honor and capacity for relationship with God.

Psalm 8 5 Commentary

Psalm 8:5 is a pinnacle statement regarding humanity's unique standing in God's cosmic order. It directly addresses the "What is man?" question from the preceding verse, providing a profound answer rooted in God's sovereign act. Humanity is made "a little lower than elohim," a term understood either as God Himself (signifying man's creatureliness compared to divine infinitude) or as celestial beings like angels. The Septuagint's translation as "angels" was significant, enabling the writer of Hebrews to brilliantly apply this verse to Jesus. In this Christological fulfillment, Jesus perfectly embodies the truth of Ps 8:5 by willingly humbling Himself to a state "a little lower than the angels" through His incarnation and death, only to be subsequently "crowned with glory and honor" through His resurrection, ascension, and exaltation at the right hand of God. Thus, what was spoken of humanity generally, and foreshadowed in Adam's dominion, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Christ. This verse not only celebrates human dignity in creation but also foreshadows the redemptive path of Christ and the believer's participation in His glorification, highlighting God's immense love and grand design for humanity to share in His dominion.