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Song (Psalm) 8

Note: This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public. Some things (like capitalisation of ‘him’ referring to Jesus or ‘father’ referring to God) in the RV haven’t been decided yet so we’re still testing both ways.

Note: The Readers’ Version on the left is a translation into contemporary English aimed at the person on the street who hasn’t necessarily been brought up with exposure to Biblical jargon and/or 500-year old English. It’s designed to be used alongside the Literal Version on the right which gives the English reader a window into what’s actually written in the original languages. (See the introduction for more details—we recommend that you read the introduction first if you’re wanting to fully understand the Literal Version.) By comparing the left and right columns, you should be able to easily get the message of the text, while at the same time keeping an eye on what it was actually translated from.

Note that greyed words in the RV are words that the translators consider were most probably in the mind of the writer, but as none of us can double-check with the original speakers or writers, the reader is free to disagree. They are clearly marked because we’ve tried to be as honest and transparent as possible.

The lighter coloured words in the LV are words which aren’t needed in the grammar of the original languages but are required or implied in English. You can read the Key to learn more about them. The underlines joining words in the LV show when one original language word needs to be translated into two or more English words. (Just hide them with the button if you don’t need that information and find it distracting.) Also, the majority of sentences in the LV don’t have the words put into a sensible English order yet. (This should be completed by the end of 2023.)

See also the FAQs and the Glossary.

Readers’ Version

Literal Version

8:1 God’s splendour and mankind’s status

God’s Glory and Human Dignity; Divine Majesty and Human Dignity

For the musical director: a song by David ≈to be accompanied by a stringed instrument.[fn]

For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of David.; For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by a stringed instrument.; To the leader: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David.; For the leader: according to the gittith: a psalm: for David

8 Our master Yahweh, your ≈reputation all over the earth is magnificent.

Your splendour is ≈displayed across the sky

2 for even infants and children to notice.[ref]

You have established strength because of your enemies—to ≈put an end to the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I look up at the sky, I see your ≈handiwork

the moon and the stars that you placed there.

4 How come that you even notice humankind?[fn]

≡Why would you even pay attention to ≈any descendant of ours?[ref]

5 You’ve made him a little lower than ?≈God (or ‘gods’),

and ≈poured splendour and majesty over him.[fn]

6 You’ve established him as ruler over ≈your creation

you’ve put him in charge of everything:[ref]

7 All the sheep and cows,

as well as the animals in the countryside,

8 the birds ≈that fly and the fish in the sea

everything that moves along the ≈ocean currents.

9 Our master, Yahweh,

your ≈magnificent reputation has spread around the whole world.

8For_the_director on the_gittit a_song of_Dāvid.

2 \f + \fr 8:2 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

8.

1\f* Oh_YHWH master_of_our how majestic name_of_your in_all the_earth/land the_one_who set glory_of_your above the_heavens.

3 \f + \fr 8:3 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

8.

2\f* from_mouth_of children and_infants you_have_established strength on_account_of enemies_of_your to_silence an_enemy and_avenger.

4 \f + \fr 8:4 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

8.

3\f* if/because I_will_see heavens_of_your the_works_of fingers_of_your the_moon and_stars which you_have_established.

5 \f + \fr 8:5 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

8.

4\f* what is_humankind (cmp) mindful_him and_son_of humankind (cmp) care_for_him.

6 \f + \fr 8:6 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

8.

5\f* and_made_lower_him little than_god and_glory and_honour crowned_him.

7 \f + \fr 8:7 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

8.

6\f* made_ruler_him in/on/at/with_works_of hands_of_your everything you_have_put under feet_of_his.

8 \f + \fr 8:8 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

8.

7\f* sheep and_oxen all_of_them and_also the_animals_of the_field.

9 \f + \fr 8:9 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

8.

8\f* the_birds_of the_heavens and_fish_of the_sea that_which_passes_through the_paths_of the_seas.

10 \f + \fr 8:10 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

8.

9\f* Oh_YHWH master_of_our how majestic name_of_your in_all the_earth/land.

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