King James Version

What Does Psalms 8:5 Mean?

Psalms 8:5 in the King James Version says “For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.”

Psalms 8:5 · KJV

Context

3

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

4

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

5

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

6

Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

7

All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; All: Heb. Flocks and oxen all of them

Read Psalms 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. This verse answers the previous question, explaining why humanity merits divine attention. Despite our insignificance compared to cosmic vastness, God has given humans unique dignity and purpose. The verse balances human limitation ("a little lower than the angels") with human exaltation ("crowned with glory and honour").

"Thou hast made him a little lower" translates vattechaserehu me'at (וַתְּחַסְּרֵהוּ מְּעַט). The verb chasar (חָסַר) means to lack, be deficient, or be made lower. Me'at (מְּעַט) means "a little" or "for a little while." The Hebrew is ambiguous: it can mean humans are "a little lower" in rank or "lower for a little while" in time. Both interpretations have merit and appear in Christian interpretation.

"Than the angels" translates me-elohim (מֵאֱלֹהִים). Here's where translation gets complicated. Elohim typically means "God" but can mean "gods" or "divine beings/angels." The Greek Septuagint translates it angelous ("angels"), which Hebrews 2:7 follows. Yet many Hebrew scholars argue the original means "lower than God [Himself]." In this reading, humans are created just beneath God in the hierarchy of beings—an even more exalted position!

"Crowned him with glory and honour" (ve-kavod ve-hadar te'atterehu, וְכָבוֹד וְהָדָר תְּעַטְּרֵהוּ) employs royal imagery. Kavod (כָּבוֹד) suggests weightiness, significance, and splendor. Hadar (הָדָר) means beauty, majesty, or honor. The verb attar (עָטַר) means to crown or encircle—like placing a crown on royalty. God has crowned humanity with His own glory and honor, deputizing us as His royal representatives on earth.

Christologically, Hebrews 2:7-9 interprets this verse as fulfilled in Jesus, who "was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death" but is now "crowned with glory and honor." Jesus perfectly embodies God's design for humanity—fully human, fully obedient, and fully exalted.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Genesis 1:26-28 establishes humanity's unique dignity: created in God's image and given dominion over creation. This divine image (tselem Elohim) distinguishes humans from animals. While all creatures bear God's creative fingerprints, only humans reflect His character, rationality, morality, and relational capacity. This unique status grounds human dignity and rights.

Ancient Near Eastern cultures reserved "image of god" language for kings—only rulers represented deity to their people. Biblical theology democratizes this: every human, regardless of status, gender, or ethnicity, bears God's image. This revolutionary concept ultimately undermined slavery, patriarchy, and ethnic superiority, though the church has sometimes been slow to apply its implications.

The "little lower than angels" phrase prompted theological reflection. Angels are spiritual beings without physical bodies, apparently sinless (at least the unfallen ones), and inhabiting God's immediate presence. In what sense are humans "lower"? We're mortal, embodied, subject to sin, and live on earth rather than heaven. Yet through Christ, believers will ultimately "judge angels" (1 Corinthians 6:3), suggesting redeemed humanity's final destiny surpasses angelic status.

Church fathers debated whether the Incarnation would have occurred without the Fall. Some argued Christ would have become human anyway to fulfill God's purpose for humanity (crowned with glory and honor). Others insisted the Incarnation was necessary only for redemption. Either way, Jesus reveals human destiny: glorified, honored, and reigning with God forever (Revelation 22:5).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean practically that humans are created 'a little lower than God' (or angels), and how should this affect our self-understanding?
  2. How does being 'crowned with glory and honour' by God differ from seeking glory and honor from human achievement or recognition?
  3. In what ways has sin diminished the 'glory and honour' God intended for humanity, and how does Christ restore it?
  4. What implications does universal human dignity (as image-bearers crowned by God) have for issues like justice, equality, and human rights?
  5. How does Jesus's temporary becoming 'lower than the angels' (Hebrews 2:9) reveal God's strategy of exaltation through humiliation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
וַתְּחַסְּרֵ֣הוּ1 of 6

“lower”

H2637

to lack; by implication, to fail, want, lessen

מְּ֭עַט2 of 6

“For thou hast made him a little”

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

מֵאֱלֹהִ֑ים3 of 6

“than the angels”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְכָב֖וֹד4 of 6

“him with glory”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

וְהָדָ֣ר5 of 6

“and honour”

H1926

magnificence, i.e., ornament or splendor

תְּעַטְּרֵֽהוּ׃6 of 6

“and hast crowned”

H5849

to encircle (for attack or protection); especially to crown (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 8:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 8:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 2:7Hebrews 2:9Genesis 1:26-27Hebrews 2:16Philippians 2:7-11Psalms 103:4

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Psalms 8 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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