The psalm begins with global and cosmic praise of the LORD’s revealed name.
Psalms 8:1–2
1 Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens!
God ordains strength through children and infants, showing that His power is not dependent on human strength.
2 From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength, because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger.
David’s contemplation of the moon and stars leads him to wonder at God’s mindfulness toward mankind.
Psalms 8:3–5
3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained;
4 what is man, that you think of him? What is the son of man, that you care for him?
Human dignity is bestowed by God and must be received humbly.
5 For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor.
God appoints humanity to rule over the works of His hands as steward under His authority.
Psalms 8:6–9
6 You make him ruler over the works of your hands. You have put all things under his feet:
7 All sheep and cattle, yes, and the animals of the field,
8 the birds of the sky, the fish of the sea, and whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
The psalm ends where it began: the majesty of the LORD’s name in all the earth.
9 Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!