Psalm 8:4
New International Version
what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

New Living Translation
what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?

English Standard Version
what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

Berean Standard Bible
what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?

King James Bible
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

New King James Version
What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?

New American Standard Bible
What is man that You think of him, And a son of man that You are concerned about him?

NASB 1995
What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?

NASB 1977
What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him?

Legacy Standard Bible
What is man that You remember him, And the son of man that You care for him?

Amplified Bible
What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of [earthborn] man that You care for him?

Christian Standard Bible
what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man that you look after him?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
what is man that You remember him, the son of man that You look after him?

American Standard Version
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Contemporary English Version
Then I ask, "Why do you care about us humans? Why are you concerned for us weaklings?"

English Revised Version
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
what is a mortal that you remember him or the Son of Man that you take care of him?

Good News Translation
what are human beings, that you think of them; mere mortals, that you care for them?

International Standard Version
what is man that you take notice of him, or the son of man that you pay attention to him?

Majority Standard Bible
what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?

NET Bible
Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them,

New Heart English Bible
what is man, that you think of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

Webster's Bible Translation
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

World English Bible
what is man, that you think of him? What is the son of man, that you care for him?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
What [is] man that You remember him? The son of man that You inspect him?

Young's Literal Translation
What is man that Thou rememberest him? The son of man that Thou inspectest him?

Smith's Literal Translation
What is man that thou wilt remember him? and the son of man that thou wilt review him?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
What is man that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?

Catholic Public Domain Version
What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you visit him?

New American Bible
What is man that you are mindful of him, and a son of man that you care for him?

New Revised Standard Version
what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
What is man, that you remember him, and a son of man that you visit him?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that Thou thinkest of him?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
How Majestic is Your Name!
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? 5You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor.…

Cross References
Hebrews 2:6-8
But somewhere it is testified in these words: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? / You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor / and placed everything under his feet.” When God subjected all things to him, He left nothing outside of his control. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.

Job 7:17-18
What is man that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart upon him, / that You attend to him every morning, and test him every moment?

Genesis 1:26-28
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.” / So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. / God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”

Psalm 144:3-4
O LORD, what is man, that You regard him, the son of man that You think of him? / Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.

Job 25:6
how much less man, who is but a maggot, and the son of man, who is but a worm!”

Psalm 103:15-16
As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field; / when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more.

Isaiah 40:17
All the nations are as nothing before Him; He regards them as nothingness and emptiness.

1 Corinthians 15:27
For “God has put everything under His feet.” Now when it says that everything has been put under Him, this clearly does not include the One who put everything under Him.

Matthew 21:16
“Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?”

Ephesians 1:22
And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church,

1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. / Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

James 4:14
You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

Romans 8:20-21
For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:18-21
I said to myself, “As for the sons of men, God tests them so that they may see for themselves that they are but beasts.” / For the fates of both men and beasts are the same: As one dies, so dies the other—they all have the same breath. Man has no advantage over the animals, since everything is futile. / All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust. ...

Isaiah 2:22
Put no more trust in man, who has only the breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?


Treasury of Scripture

What is man, that you are mindful of him? and the son of man, that you visit him?

What

Psalm 144:3
LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!

2 Chronicles 6:18
But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!

Job 7:17
What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?

son

Psalm 4:2
O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.

Psalm 80:17
Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.

Psalm 146:3
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

visitest

Psalm 106:4
Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;

Genesis 21:1
And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.

Exodus 4:31
And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

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














What is man
The phrase "What is man" invites us to ponder the nature and significance of humanity. In Hebrew, the word for "man" is "enosh," which emphasizes human frailty and mortality. This term reminds us of our humble beginnings and our dependence on God. In the grand scheme of creation, humanity might seem insignificant, yet this question sets the stage for recognizing the profound value and purpose God has bestowed upon us. The psalmist's inquiry reflects a sense of wonder and humility, acknowledging that despite our limitations, we are the focus of God's attention and care.

that You are mindful of him
The phrase "that You are mindful of him" speaks to God's attentive care and consideration for humanity. The Hebrew word for "mindful" is "zakar," which means to remember or to think about. This suggests that God is not distant or indifferent but is actively engaged in our lives. It is a profound truth that the Creator of the universe is intimately aware of each individual. This mindfulness is not just a passive awareness but an active, loving concern for our well-being. It reassures us of our worth and significance in God's eyes, despite our smallness in the vastness of creation.

or the son of man
The term "son of man" is a Hebrew idiom that refers to human beings in general. It emphasizes our identity as descendants of Adam, highlighting our shared humanity and the common experiences that bind us together. In the broader biblical context, "son of man" is also a title used for Jesus Christ, particularly in the New Testament, where it underscores His role as the representative and redeemer of humanity. Here, it serves to remind us of our connection to one another and to Christ, who took on human form to bridge the gap between God and man.

that You care for him
The phrase "that You care for him" reveals the depth of God's love and concern for humanity. The Hebrew word "paqad" is used here, which can mean to visit, attend to, or care for. This conveys the idea of God's active involvement in our lives, not just as a distant observer but as a loving caretaker. God's care is comprehensive, encompassing every aspect of our existence. It is a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles and joys; God is with us, providing guidance, support, and comfort. This divine care is a testament to God's grace and mercy, underscoring the special relationship between the Creator and His creation.

(4) Man . . . son of man . . .--The first, possibly, with suggestion of frailty; the second to his life derived from human ancestry. The answer to this question must always touch the two poles, of human frailty on the one hand, and the glory of human destiny on the other. "O the grandeur and the littleness, the excellence and the corruption, the majesty and the meanness, of man."--Pascal.

The insignificance of man compared to the stars is a common theme of poetry; but how different the feeling of the Hebrew from that of the modern poet, who regrets the culture by which he had been

"Brought to understand

A sad astrology, the boundless plan

That makes you tyrants in your iron skies,

Innumerable, pitiless, passionless eyes,

Cold fires, yet with power to burn and brand

His nothingness into man."--TENNYSON: Maud.

And yet, again, how far removed from the other pole of modern feeling, which draws inanimate nature into close sympathy with human joy or sorrow, expressed in the following words:--"When I have gazed into these stars, have they not looked down upon me as if with pity from their serene spaces, like eyes glistening with heavenly tears over the little lot of man?"--Carlyle.

Verse 4. - What is man, that thou art mindful of him? In comparison with the lofty heavens, the radiant moon, and the hosts of sparkling stars, man seems to the psalmist wholly unworthy of God's attention. He is not, like Job, impatient of God's constant observation (Job 7:17-20), but simply filled with wonder at his marvellous condescension (comp. Psalm 144:3). And the son of man, that thou visitest him? The "son of man" here is a mere variant for "man" in the preceding hemistich. The clause merely emphasizes the general idea.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
what
מָֽה־ (māh-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

is man
אֱנ֥וֹשׁ (’ĕ·nō·wōš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 582: Man, mankind

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

You are mindful [of him],
תִזְכְּרֶ֑נּוּ (ṯiz·kə·ren·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2142: To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male

or the son
וּבֶן־ (ū·ḇen-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of man
אָ֝דָ֗ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

that
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

You care for him?
תִפְקְדֶֽנּוּ׃ (ṯip̄·qə·ḏen·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit


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OT Poetry: Psalm 8:4 What is man that you think (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 8:3
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