Psalms 8:2
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From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise on account of Your adversaries, to silence the enemy and avenger.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This psalm is a solemn meditation on, and admiration of, the glory and greatness of God, of which we are all concerned to think highly and honourably. It begins and ends with the same acknowledgment of the transcendent excellency of God's name. It is proposed for proof (Psa 8:1) that God's name is excellent in all the earth, and then it is repeated as proved (with a "quod erat demonstrandum" - which was to be demonstrated) in the last verse. For the proof of God's glory the psalmist gives instances of his goodness to man; for God's goodness is his glory. God is to be glorified, I. For making known himself and his great name to us (Psa 8:1). II. For making use of the weakest of the children of men, by them to serve his own purposes (Psa 8:2). III. For making even the heavenly bodies useful to man (Psa 8:3, Psa 8:4). IV. For making him to have dominion over the creatures in this lower world, and thereby placing him but little lower then the angels (Psa 8:5-8). This psalm is, in the New Testament, applied to Christ and the work of our redemption which he wrought out; the honour given by the children of men to him (Psa 8:2, compared with Mat 21:16) and the honour put upon the children of men by him, both in his humiliation, when he was made a little lower then the angels, and in his exaltation, when he was crowned with glory and honour. Compare Psa 8:5, Psa 8:6, with Heb 2:6-8; Co1 15:27. When we are observing the glory of God in the kingdom of nature and providence we should be led by that, and through that, to the contemplation of his glory in the kingdom of grace. To the chief musician upon Gittith. A psalm of David.
Open source ↗8:2 silencing: The loud noise of the oppressors contrasts with the praise of God. In the end, the praise of God will overwhelm the sound of evil (31:18; 63:11; 101:5; 143:12). • Those who oppose God seethe with vindictive anger (2:1-3; 44:16; cp. 149:6-7).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
“Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?”
But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.”
At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
At that time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.
at the voice of the scorner and reviler, because of the enemy, bent on revenge.
and terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of Your arm they will be as still as a stone until Your people pass by, O LORD, until the people You have bought pass by.
But among all the Israelites, not even a dog will snarl at man or beast.’ Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.
He flashes destruction on the strong, so that fury comes upon the stronghold.