Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The original Hebrew actually says man was made "a little lower than God," not just angels. This highlights God's incredible intention for humanity, created in His very image and likeness, placing us astonishingly close to His divine nature from the start.
Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm begins by marveling at humanity's place in God's creation, questioning man's significance only to immediately answer with God's immense favor. The focus shifts to God's deliberate design and purpose for humanity, highlighting the unique dignity and dominion He bestowed upon them. This sets the stage for the declaration in verse 5 that despite his humble origins, humankind was created with an elevated status, just shy of the divine, and adorned with honor.
Have you ever felt small, insignificant? This psalm reminds us of humanity's incredibly high original standing. It wasn't just 'good,' it was breathtakingly close to God Himself.
Humanity's Elevated Status
The psalm declares God made humanity "a little lower than God" (or "than the angels" in many translations). This isn't about diminishment, but about a specific, honored place in creation.
It's one thing to be 'a little lower than God,' but what does it mean to be 'crowned' with glory and honor? This imagery speaks of majesty, royalty, and ultimate recognition.
The Royal Robe
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The act of 'crowning' evokes images of kingship and supreme dignity. It’s not just about status, but about being visibly adorned with God's favor and authority.
Understand the original words
elohim · Hebrew Noun
In this context, it refers to the spiritual beings who dwell in the presence of God; they are superior to humanity in power and nature.
hadar · Hebrew Noun
A position of high standing, weight, or dignity conferred upon a person by God, often reflecting a share in God's own regal or divine attributes as an image-bearer.
While the psalm itself reflects on humanity's original creation and God-given dominion, later interpretations, particularly by the Apostle Paul, saw in these verses a profound prophecy pointing to the humiliation and exaltation of Jesus Christ.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
David Composes Psalm 8
King David likely composed this psalm, reflecting on God's creation and humanity's place within it, possibly during his reign.
c. 300 BC - 100 BC
Septuagint Translation
The Hebrew Scriptures are translated into Greek (the Septuagint). In this translation, the phrase 'than God' in verse 5 is rendered 'than the angels'.
c. AD 50-60
Paul Quotes Psalm 8 in Hebrews
The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews quotes Psalm 8:5-6, following the Septuagint's rendering, to explain the glory and suffering of Jesus Christ.
This passage directly quotes and interprets Psalm 8:5, explaining how humanity's temporary lower state, even below angels, points to the ultimate glory and suffering of Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1:26-28This foundational text describes humanity's creation in God's image and likeness, granting them dominion, which directly informs the Psalmist's reflection on man's glorious status.
1 Corinthians 15:24-28This passage discusses Christ's ultimate reign over all things after his resurrection, picking up the theme of dominion from Psalm 8 and showing its fulfillment in Christ.
Philippians 2:5-11This text beautifully parallels the humility and exaltation described in Psalm 8, showing how Christ emptied himself, becoming 'lower' to achieve supreme glory and honor.
calvinPsalms 8:5-6: "For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour."
- Thou hast made him little lower. The Hebrew copulative ky, ki, I have no doubt, ought to be translated into the causal particle for, seeing the Psalmist confirms what he has just now said concerning the infinite goodness of God towards men, in showing himself near to them, and mindful of them. In the first place, he represents them as adorned with so many honors as to render the…
clarkePsalms 8:5: "For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour."
Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels - The original is certainly very emphatic: ותחסרחו מעט מאלהים vattechasserchu meat meelohim, Thou hast lessened him for a little time from God. Or, Thou hast made him less than God for a little time. See these passages explained at large in the notes on Hebrews 2:6 (note), etc., which I need not repeat here. Psalm 8:5Minuisti eum pau…
The original Hebrew actually says man was made "a little lower than God," not just angels. This highlights God's incredible intention for humanity, created in His very image and likeness, placing us astonishingly close to His divine nature from the start.
This psalm begins by marveling at humanity's place in God's creation, questioning man's significance only to immediately answer with God's immense favor. The focus shifts to God's deliberate design and purpose for humanity, highlighting the unique dignity and dominion He bestowed upon them. This sets the stage for the declaration in verse 5 that despite his humble origins, humankind was created with an elevated status, just shy of the divine, and adorned with honor.
This psalm begins by marveling at humanity's place in God's creation, questioning man's significance only to immediately answer with God's immense favor. The focus shifts to God's deliberate design and purpose for humanity, highlighting the unique dignity and dominion He bestowed upon them. This sets the stage for the declaration in verse 5 that despite his humble origins, humankind was created with an elevated status, just shy of the divine, and adorned with honor.
"Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor." — The original Hebrew actually says man was made "a little lower than God," not just angels. This highlights God's incredible intention for humanity, created in His very image and likeness, placing us…
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Last reviewed October 2026