Psalms 8:6
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
Original Language Analysis
בְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣י
over the works
H4639
בְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣י
over the works
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
2 of 7
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
יָדֶ֑יךָ
of thy hands
H3027
יָדֶ֑יךָ
of thy hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
3 of 7
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
כֹּ֝ל
H3605
כֹּ֝ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Genesis 1:28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.Genesis 1:26And 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.Hebrews 2:8Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.Ephesians 1:22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,Matthew 28:18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.Psalms 110:1The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.Genesis 9:2And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.1 Peter 3:22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.Hebrews 1:2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Historical Context
David wrote this psalm contemplating creation's grandeur and humanity's paradoxical position—insignificant compared to cosmic vastness yet crowned with glory and dominion. Ancient Near Eastern kings claimed divine status; biblical anthropology places humanity below God but above creation, responsible stewards not autonomous rulers. The Fall damaged but didn't destroy this mandate (Genesis 9:1-7). Christ's redemption restores proper human dominion under divine authority.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing yourself as God's steward exercising delegated authority change your relationship to creation and its resources?
- In what ways does Christ fulfill perfect human dominion that Adam lost, and how do believers participate in His restored rule?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse describes humanity's divine mandate: dominion over creation. "Madest him to have dominion" (תַּמְשִׁילֵהוּ/tamshilehu) means cause to rule, govern, exercise authority. "The works of thy hands" (מַעֲשֵׂי יָדֶיךָ/ma'asei yadekha) emphasizes creation as God's craftsmanship. "Put all things under his feet" (שַׁתָּה תַחַת-רַגְלָיו/shattah tachat-raglav) uses ancient Near Eastern imagery of conquered kings under victor's feet—humanity as God's vice-regent. This echoes Genesis 1:26-28's creation mandate. Hebrews 2:6-9 quotes Psalm 8, noting we don't yet see all things subjected to humanity due to sin's entrance, but we see Jesus, crowned with glory, fulfilling perfect dominion. Christ is the true Adam, exercising righteous rule humanity lost.