Psalms 8:4

4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Psalms 8:4 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 8:4

What is man, that thou art mindful of him?
&c.] That is, the psalmist, while he was considering the greatness and glory of the celestial bodies, thought this within himself, and so expressed it; which is to be understood, not of man in general, nor of Adam in a state of innocence; he could not be called "Enosh", the word here used, which signifies a frail, weak, sickly mortal man; nor could he with any propriety be said to be the son of man, as in the following clause: nor of fallen man, or of Adam's posterity, descending from him by ordinary generation; for all things are not put in subjection to them, as is hereafter said of man: but this is to be understood of the man Christ Jesus, as it is interpreted in ( Hebrews 2:6-9 ) ; or of that individual of human nature which Christ assumed. The name of Enosh well agrees with him, who was a man of no note and esteem among men, a worm and no man, a man of sorrows and acquainted with griefs, encompassed with infirmities, and was subject to death, and did die. Now it was a marvellous thing that God should be mindful of that individual of human nature; that he should prepare it in his council and covenant; that among the vast numbers of individuals which it came up in his infinite mind to create, he should choose this, to exalt it, and appoint it to union with his own Son, and take that delight in it he did; that when it was formed by his Spirit, he should anoint it with the oil of gladness above his fellows; that he should take such providential care of it, and so often and so strongly express his affection for it; that he should regard it, and support it under sufferings; and when in the grave, did not leave it, nor suffer it to see corruption; but raised it from the dead, and gave it glory, and exalted it at his own right hand;

and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
The name of "the son of man" is the name of the Messiah, in ( Psalms 80:17 ) ( Daniel 7:13 ) ; and is often given to Christ, and used by him of himself in the New Testament. And this visiting of him is not to be understood in a way of wrath, though he was so visited by God, when he bore the chastisements of his people; but in a way of favour, by bestowing upon him without measure the gifts and graces of his Spirit; by affording him his gracious presence, and tilling him with spiritual peace and joy.

Psalms 8:4 In-Context

2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou established praise because of thine adversaries, to still the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I see thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and stars, which thou hast established;

4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

5 Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and splendour.

6 Thou hast made him to rule over the works of thy hands; thou hast put everything under his feet:

Footnotes

• [a]. Enosh, 'feeble,' 'mortal man,' man looked at as a race, in contrast with distinguished individuals: see Gen. 4.26; Ps. 144.3.
• [b]. Adam.
• [c]. Or 'regardest.'