Psalms 8:5
Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The wonder here isn't just that humanity is crowned with glory, but that this incredible honor is bestowed upon a creature made "a little lower." This subtle phrasing highlights the breathtaking act of God elevating us, even from a state of lesser standing, to such esteemed dignity.
This psalm begins by marveling at humanity's place in God's creation, considering man's seemingly small stature against the vastness of the cosmos. The focus then shifts to God's deliberate, intentional design for humanity, highlighting the special dignity and authority bestowed upon them from the very start of creation. This reflection on man's God-given dominion and exalted position directly sets up the profound truth of verse 5.
Ever feel like humans are just… well, human? This psalm reminds us of a breathtaking original blueprint. What does it mean to be 'a little lower than God'?
Created for Glory
The Psalmist looks at humanity and sees something extraordinary. He declares in Psalm 8:5 that God made humans "a little lower than God" (or, as many translations render it, "than the angels"). This isn't about diminishing humanity, but highlighting its incredible design.
Beyond just a high status, the psalm describes humanity as being 'crowned.' What does this royal imagery signify for us, then and now?
Royalty in Design
The Psalmist doesn't stop at man's unique positioning; he adds another layer of incredible divine favor: "and crowned him with glory and honor." This imagery speaks volumes about God's intention for humanity.
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.
This psalm, while originally praising God for humanity's high status in creation, was later reinterpreted by the New Testament to point specifically to Jesus Christ's divine nature, his humble incarnation, and his ultimate glorious reign over all things.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
David Composes Psalm 8
King David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes Psalm 8. This psalm is a reflection on God's glory revealed in creation and humanity's special place within it.
c. 500 BC
Septuagint Translation
The Hebrew Scriptures are translated into Greek. The translators render the Hebrew word for 'God' (Elohim) as 'angels' in this verse, likely to soften an expression that seemed too bold.
c. AD 60
Paul Quotes Psalm 8
The Apostle Paul quotes Psalm 8:4-6 in Hebrews 2:6-8. He applies it to Jesus Christ, emphasizing Christ's temporary humiliation and eventual exaltation above all creation, including angels.
This passage directly quotes and applies Psalm 8:5 to Jesus, highlighting how His temporary humiliation, being made 'a little lower than the angels,' was a necessary step for His ultimate glorification and reign over all things.
Genesis 1:26-28This creation account directly parallels the psalm's theme by describing God creating humanity in His image, granting them dominion over the earth, and bestowing glory and honor upon them, reflecting their unique and elevated status.
1 Corinthians 15:24-27This passage speaks of Christ's future reign where He will put all enemies, including death, under His feet, echoing Psalm 8's emphasis on dominion and authority, but pointing to Christ as the ultimate fulfiller of this God-ordained human sovereignty.
Philippians 2:5-11This text beautifully illustrates the concept of being 'crowned with glory and honor' after a period of humbling, as it describes Jesus, though divine, taking on human form and suffering death, only to be exalted by God to the highest name.
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 wonder here isn't just that humanity is crowned with glory, but that this incredible honor is bestowed upon a creature made "a little lower." This subtle phrasing highlights the breathtaking act of God elevating us, even from a state of lesser standing, to such esteemed dignity.
This psalm begins by marveling at humanity's place in God's creation, considering man's seemingly small stature against the vastness of the cosmos. The focus then shifts to God's deliberate, intentional design for humanity, highlighting the special dignity and authority bestowed upon them from the very start of creation. This reflection on man's God-given dominion and exalted position directly sets up the profound truth of verse 5.
This psalm begins by marveling at humanity's place in God's creation, considering man's seemingly small stature against the vastness of the cosmos. The focus then shifts to God's deliberate, intentional design for humanity, highlighting the special dignity and authority bestowed upon them from the very start of creation. This reflection on man's God-given dominion and exalted position directly sets up the profound truth of verse 5.
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"Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor." — The wonder here isn't just that humanity is crowned with glory, but that this incredible honor is bestowed upon a creature made "a little lower." This subtle phrasing highlights the breathtaking act…
