Psalms 8:1

CONTENTS

This Psalm is pure gospel from beginning to end, for it celebrates the glories of Jesus, as the Monarch of his people, and of heaven and earth. Under the spirit of prophecy, and with an eye to Christ, the sacred writer of it expresseth his astonishment at the incarnation of Jesus, and then soars in the loftiest strains of adoration and joy at his wonderful glory.

To the chief Musician upon Gittith. A Psalm of David.

Some have conjectured that Gittith means the tune to which this Psalm was sung. Others have supposed that Gittith is the same as Gittite, meaning Goliath the Gittite, in allusion to David's victory over Goliath of Gath, to whom David, in comparison of size, was but as one of those whom the Psalm celebrates, as giving forth praise out of the mouth of babes and sucklings. But if the dedication of it be (as hath been before observed, Psalms 4:1.) to one infinitely higher than the chief musician in the temple service, it should seem that this would be more in correspondence to the divine truths of the gospel expressed through every part of it. Let these things, however, be as they may, the several scriptures which refer to this Psalm so decidedly explain it upon the principles of the gospel, that the most ordinary reader cannot but be led to observe how much it treats of Jesus and his glories. The apostle to the Hebrews, in the second chapter, fully shows that not man in general, but the man Christ Jesus in particular, and him only, is the person to whom all power is given in heaven and in earth. Hebrews 2:6. And, as if this was not enough, our Lord Jesus himself made a complete application of this Psalm to his own person and glory, in his conversation with the chief Priests and Scribes. Matthew 21:15. These are sufficient considerations to interest our hearts, as we enter upon the perusal of this most blessed Psalm. Reader! may you and I, as we go over it, have our souls led out in divine contemplation of the surpassing glory of our Lord Jesus, who is here so sweetly celebrated as the King and Head of his church and people. Oh! for such a portion of his blessed Spirit to be upon the mind both of writer and reader, that while we behold what he did for us, when he was made a little lower than the angels, we may find faith in his finished salvation, and trust in him that he is and will be our Jesus still, now that he is exalted above all height; angels, principalities, and powers, being made subject unto him!

Psalms 8:1

If we read this verse according to the authority we have to read it, where the word Lord, when translated in capitals, means Jehovah, and where the same word Lord, in smaller letters, means Adonai, then it will be beautiful indeed for then the expression carries with it the Lord Jehovah as beheld in a covenant way in Christ. Oh! how excellent is this. Oh! how truly hath Jehovah exalted his glory, even in the person of the Lord of glory, Christ Jesus, far above all heavens. 1 Corinthians 2:8.