Psalm 8

Psalm 8 is the 8th psalm from the Book of Psalms. Its authorship is traditionally assigned to king David. The gittis in the psalm is described as a musical instrument.

According to The Artscroll Tehillim page 12, the message in the psalm is that one's talents are gifts from God, and they should be used in the service of God.^[1]

According to The Summarized Bible by K. L. Brooks, the contents of the psalm are a "Meditation on the majesty of God’s works and the insignificance of man."^[2]

Uses

Judaism

• Is recited during the week of Parshat Bereishit in some traditions.^[3]
• Is recited on Simchat Torah in some traditions.^[4]
• Verse 9 is found in Kedusha on Yom Tov.^[5]

New Testament Christianity

• Verse 2 is quoted by Jesus in Matthew 21:16 in reference to children praising him in the temple.
• Verses 4-6 are quoted in Hebrews 2:6-8 in reference to Jesus' incarnation.

Catholic

Previously, according to the rule of St. Benedict, this psalm was sung or recited on Tuesday at the office of prime.^[6]

In the Liturgy of the Hours, the psalm is recited to^[7] Lauds on Saturday of deuxième and in the fourth week. It often appears in the Eucharistic liturgy: it is found in the feast of the Trinity, the Easter octave, the first Tuesday of Ordinary Time, the 5th Tuesday of Ordinary Time and Saturday 28th in Ordinary Time.

Set to music

Michel Richard Delalande, composer of King Louis XIV, wrote in 1686, a large Latin motet by this psalm (S.17) that was played at the Royal Chapel of Versailles for the offices of the king.

References