In what sense do humans rule over creation? (Psalm 8:6–8)
In what sense do humans rule over creation? (Psalm 8:6–8) Psalm 8:6-8 King James Version (KJV) 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; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
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Asked March 05 2019
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Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
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Tim Maas
Supporter
I would say that, although God is superior to humans in every respect, He created humans (whom, unlike any other earthly life form, He made in His image (Genesis 1:27)) for the specific purpose of being stewards who were to be responsible and accountable for the care and preservation of all aspects of their environment. Thus, although humans are subordinate to God, they rule, by His specific design, purpose, and permission, over all other aspects of creation, including its resources and its lower life forms (Genesis 1:26; Genesis 2:15; Genesis 9:1-3).
Jeffrey Johnson
Supporter
In what sense do humans rule over creation? (Psalm 8:6–8) In Psalm 8:6–8, humans rule over creation as authorised stewards or "resident managers" appointed by God, rather than as absolute owners. This dominion implies a responsibility to care for, manage, and preserve the Earth, acting as God's representatives on Earth and exercising authority over animals and the environment. God delegates this authority, and the psalm is "bracketed" by verses that emphasise God's ultimate sovereignty (verses 1 and 9), indicating that human authority is subordinate to God's. Despite human smallness, God has bestowed this honour upon them, placing them just below the angels. Humans act as God's representatives or "resident managers" on Earth. This role reflects the original mandate from Genesis 1:26–28 to "subdue" and "rule" over all living creatures. In this psalm, David reflects on God's majesty as displayed in creation. The heavens declare God's glory. Against the backdrop of such glory, man seems insignificant, yet God chose man to rule the Earth and all its creatures. By giving man this tremendous responsibility, God has crowned him with glory and honour. Referring back to the creation account in Genesis 1, David notes that God gave humans authority over all animals, birds, and fish. This is seen as a "servant dominion"—a responsibility to steward and care for the Earth as God's representatives. Adam and Eve had an honourable place in Jehovah's family. As recorded in Psalm 8:5 and footnote, David said this about Jehovah's creation of man: "You made him a little lower than angels, and you crowned him with glory and splendour." True, humans were not given the same power, intelligence, and abilities as the angels. (Ps. 103:20 ESV: "Bless Jehovah, ye his angels, That are mighty in strength, that fulfil his word, Hearkening unto the voice of his word." Yet, humanity is only "a little lower" than those mighty spirit creatures. Imagine that! Jehovah truly gave our first parents an excellent start. This psalm is closely related to Genesis 1, which recounts God's creation of the heavens and the Earth, as well as every living thing. God's final creation, according to Genesis 1, was Adam and Eve, the first human beings, whom He created in His own image and placed in authority ''over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth'' (Genesis 1:28).
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