Psalms 8:1–2
David is amazed at how magnificent the name of YHWH is across the earth
Study it word by word1For the director. On the Gitit. A psalm of David. YHWH, our Lord, how magnificent is your name in all the earth, you who have set your splendor above the heavens.
2From the mouth of children and of nursing infants you have founded strength because of your adversaries, to put an end to the enemy and the one who takes vengeance.
In its context
…
3When I see your heavens, the works of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established,
4what is the mortal that you remember him, and the son of man that you attend to him?
Its words in the original
- מְנַצֵּחַmenatseach· direct, oversee
Direct: be in charge of a work or of the music of worship. From this word comes the title "for the director" of many psalms.
- גִּתִּיתgitit· gittith
Gittith: a word in the title of Psalms 8, 81 and 84. Probably an instrument or a tune "of Gath"; its sense is not certain.
- מִזְמוֹרmizmor· psalm
Psalm: a song sung with instruments. It is the title of many of the poems in the book of Psalms.
- דָוִדdavid· David
David, youngest son of Jesse, of Bethlehem; the second king of Israel. The name means "beloved."
- יְהוָהyehva· YHWH
The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.
- אֲדֹנֵיadone· lord, master
Lord: one who has authority over another (an owner, a husband, a superior). It is also a polite form, "my lord". Said of God, "the Lord".
- אַדִּירadir· mighty
Mighty, majestic; of waters, rushing.
- שִׁמְshim· name
Name. In the Bible a name says who someone is; so it also means fame, renown or reputation.
- אָרֶץarets· earth, land
The earth, in two senses: the whole world in contrast with the heavens, or a particular country or region ("the land of Egypt").
- תְּנָtena· give, put, set
Give, in a very wide sense: hand over, put, place, grant, allow, make something be.
- הוֹדְhod· majesty, splendor
Majesty, splendor: the dignity and authority seen in someone.
- שָּׁמָיִםshamayim· heavens, sky
The heavens: what is above, where the clouds, the sun and the stars are seen; also the dwelling of God. In Hebrew it is always plural. With birds, "the sky".
- פִּיpi· mouth
Mouth. Also what someone says or commands ("by the mouth of" = by the word of); the edge of a sword; "according to".
- עוֹלְלִיםollim· young child
A small child, an infant. Said of young children, often together with "the nursing child."
- יֹנְקִיםyonkim· nurse
Suck; in the causative form, nurse, give milk to a child.
- יִסַּדְתָּyisadta· found, establish
Found, lay the foundations; also appoint, establish.
- עֹזoz· strength, might
Strength, power.
- צוֹרְרֶיtsorre· bind, distress
Wrap up, bind tightly. In other passages, be in distress, or treat with hostility.
- הַשְׁבִּיתhashbit· cease, rest
Cease, stop doing something; from there "rest". When God ceased from his work it was because he had finished it, not from weariness. The word "Sabbath" comes from this verb.
- אוֹיֵבoyev· enemy
Enemy, foe: one who hates and opposes another.
- מִתְנַקֵּםmitnakem· avenge
Avenge: make someone pay for the wrong done; take vengeance.