Psalm 8:3
New International Version
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

New Living Translation
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place—

English Standard Version
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

Berean Standard Bible
When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place—

King James Bible
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

New King James Version
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,

New American Standard Bible
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have set in place;

NASB 1995
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;

NASB 1977
When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained;

Legacy Standard Bible
When I see Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have established;

Amplified Bible
When I see and consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have established,

Christian Standard Bible
When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you set in place,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When I observe Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You set in place,

American Standard Version
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

Contemporary English Version
I often think of the heavens your hands have made, and of the moon and stars you put in place.

English Revised Version
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When I look at your heavens, the creation of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have set in place-

Good News Translation
When I look at the sky, which you have made, at the moon and the stars, which you set in their places--

International Standard Version
When I look at the heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you established—

Majority Standard Bible
When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place—

NET Bible
When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made, and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place,

New Heart English Bible
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place;

Webster's Bible Translation
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers; the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

World English Bible
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For I see Your heavens, a work of Your fingers, "" [The] moon and stars that You established.

Young's Literal Translation
For I see Thy heavens, a work of Thy fingers, Moon and stars that Thou didst establish.

Smith's Literal Translation
For I shall see thy heavens, the work of thy fingers; the moon and the stars which thou didst prepare.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For I will behold thy heavens, the works of thy fingers: the moon and the stars which thou hast founded.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For I will behold your heavens, the works of your fingers: the moon and the stars, which you have founded.

New American Bible
When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you set in place—

New Revised Standard Version
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For thy heavens have seen the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because they have seen your Heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars you have prepared,
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
When I behold Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which Thou hast established;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For I will regard the heavens, the work of thy fingers; the moon and stars, which thou hast established.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
How Majestic is Your Name!
2From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise on account of Your adversaries, to silence the enemy and avenger. 3When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place— 4what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?…

Cross References
Genesis 1:16
God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. And He made the stars as well.

Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

Job 9:9
He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, of the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.

Job 38:31-33
Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loosen the belt of Orion? / Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear and her cubs? / Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set their dominion over the earth?

Psalm 19:1
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Psalm 104:2
He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent,

Psalm 136:7-9
He made the great lights—His loving devotion endures forever. / the sun to rule the day, His loving devotion endures forever. / the moon and stars to govern the night. His loving devotion endures forever.

Jeremiah 31:35
Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day, who sets in order the moon and stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name:

Amos 5:8
He who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns darkness into dawn and darkens day into night, who summons the waters of the sea and pours them over the face of the earth—the LORD is His name—

Nehemiah 9:6
You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You.

Hebrews 1:10
And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.

Hebrews 11:3
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Colossians 1:16
For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.

John 1:3
Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

Revelation 4:11
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”


Treasury of Scripture

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained;

When

Psalm 19:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Psalm 111:2
The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

Job 22:12
Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are!

work

Psalm 33:6
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Exodus 8:19
Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

moon

Psalm 104:19
He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.

Psalm 136:7-9
To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: …

Psalm 148:3
Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.

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Psalm 8
1. God's glory is magnified by his works, and by his love to man














When I behold
The phrase "When I behold" invites the reader into a moment of reflection and observation. The Hebrew root for "behold" is "ra'ah," which means to see or perceive. This word suggests not just a casual glance but a deep, contemplative observation. In the context of Psalm 8, it implies a deliberate act of looking at God's creation with awe and wonder. Historically, this reflects the ancient practice of meditating on the natural world as a way to understand the divine. The psalmist is engaging in an act of worship through the simple yet profound act of observing the heavens.

Your heavens
The phrase "Your heavens" acknowledges the ownership and authorship of the heavens by God. The Hebrew word for heavens is "shamayim," which often refers to the sky or the abode of God. This term encompasses the vastness and majesty of the celestial realm. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the heavens were seen as a testament to the power and glory of the Creator. By attributing the heavens to God, the psalmist emphasizes the divine craftsmanship and authority over all creation.

the work of Your fingers
This phrase, "the work of Your fingers," uses anthropomorphic language to describe God's creative power. The Hebrew word for "work" is "ma'aseh," which denotes an action or deed. The use of "fingers" suggests precision and care, as if God intricately designed the universe with the skill of a master artisan. This imagery contrasts the vastness of the heavens with the intimate involvement of God in creation. It reflects the biblical theme of God's immanence, His closeness and attention to detail in the world He has made.

the moon and the stars
"The moon and the stars" are specific elements of the heavens that the psalmist highlights. In the Hebrew text, "yareach" (moon) and "kokhavim" (stars) are used. These celestial bodies were often associated with timekeeping and navigation in the ancient world. They symbolize constancy and order in the universe. By mentioning them, the psalmist points to the regularity and reliability of God's creation, which reflects His faithfulness and sovereignty. The moon and stars serve as a reminder of God's covenantal promises and His unchanging nature.

which You have set in place
The phrase "which You have set in place" underscores God's intentionality and sovereignty in creation. The Hebrew verb "kun" means to establish or fix firmly. This conveys the idea that the universe is not a product of chance but of divine purpose and order. In the biblical worldview, God is the ultimate architect who has arranged the cosmos with wisdom and precision. This assurance of divine order provides comfort and stability, reminding believers of God's control over the universe and their lives.

(3) When I consider.--Literally, see, scan.

Ordained.--Or, as in margin, founded--i.e., created, formed; but the English word aptly introduces the idea of order in the kosmos. Comp.:--

"Know the cause why music was ordained?

--SHAKESPEARE.

In our humid climate we can hardly imagine the brilliance of an Eastern night. "There," writes one of a night in Palestine, "it seems so, bearing down upon our heads with power are the steadfast splendours of that midnight sky;" but, on the other hand, the fuller revelations of astronomy do more than supply the place of this splendour, in filling us with amazement and admiration at the vast spaces the stars fill, and their mighty movements in their measured orbits.

Verse 3. - When I consider thy heavens (comp. Psalm 19:1; Psalm 33:6; Psalm 104:2). David, in his shepherd-life, had had abundant opportunity of "considering the heavens," and had evidently scanned them with the eye of a poet and an intense admirer of nature. It is probably in remembrance of the nights when he watched his father's flock, that he makes no mention of the sun, but only of "the moon and the stars." The work of thy fingers; and therefore "thy heavens." Often as the "hand of God" is mentioned in Scripture, it is but very rarely that we hear of his "finger" or "fingers." So far as I am aware, the only places are Exodus 8:19; Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy 9:10; and Luke 11:20. The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained (comp. Genesis 1:16).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I behold
אֶרְאֶ֣ה (’er·’eh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

Your heavens,
שָׁ֭מֶיךָ (me·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

the work
מַעֲשֵׂ֣י (ma·‘ă·śê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4639: An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property

of Your fingers,
אֶצְבְּעֹתֶ֑יךָ (’eṣ·bə·‘ō·ṯe·ḵā)
Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 676: Something to sieze with, a finger, a toe

the moon
יָרֵ֥חַ (yā·rê·aḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3394: The moon

and the stars,
וְ֝כוֹכָבִ֗ים (wə·ḵō·w·ḵā·ḇîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3556: A star, a prince

which
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

You set in place—
כּוֹנָֽנְתָּה׃ (kō·w·nā·nə·tāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect


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OT Poetry: Psalm 8:3 When I consider your heavens the work (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 8:2
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