8:3 When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made,
and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place, 1
8:4 Of what importance is the human race, 2 that you should notice 3 them?
Of what importance is mankind, 4 that you should pay attention to them, 5
1 tn Heb “when I see your heavens, the works of your fingers, the moon and stars which you established.” The verb “[and] see” is understood by ellipsis in the second half of the verse.
2 tn Heb “What is man[kind]?” The singular noun אֱנוֹשׁ (’enosh, “man”) is used here in a collective sense and refers to the human race.
3 tn Heb “remember him.”
4 tn Heb “and the son of man.” The phrase “son of man” is used here in a collective sense and refers to human beings. For other uses of the phrase in a collective or representative manner, see Num 23:19; Ps 146:3; Isa 51:12.
5 tn The two imperfect verbal forms in v. 4 describe God’s characteristic activity.