Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

In my view, the verse is intended to encompass creatures who live exclusively or primarily in the sea but are not fish, such as fish-like mammals (such as whales or dolphins); octopi; pinnipeds; and mollusks.

August 08 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

"The paths of the seas," according to Matthew Maury, mean that "the oceans have subsurface currents with regular circulation patterns—the “paths of the seas” in Psalm 8:8.

"He saw the great practical significance of that verse, recognizing that there must be currents of water in the oceans, just like vast rivers, as well as in the atmosphere (Ecclesiastes 1:6)." icr.org

Ecclesiastes 1:6 says, "The wind blows to the south
and goes around to the north;
around and around goes the wind,
and on its circuits the wind returns."

But I like this translation better, this one verse being one of many listed for adults to memorize in Scottsdale Bible Church (Scottsdale, AZ) and their Bible Memory Association (BMA) program. Now it's called Scripture Memory Fellowship:

“The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.” Ecc 1:6

King James Version (KJV)

Just like the atmosphere has wind currents, the ocean has currents, too. And what is amazing is that "he [Maury] did discover and plot many of the wind circuits and currents, such as the great Gulf Current, 40 miles wide and 2,000 feet deep that comes out of the Gulf of Mexico into the Atlantic; the Japanese Current, the California Current, and others. Utilizing this information, the sailing ships of his day plied these currents and wind circuits, reducing by as much as three weeks the time required to cross the oceans. icr.org

Matthew Maury has been called the Pathfinder of the Seas. He trusted the Bible to tell him the truth about this world and science. Think of how much faster you can cross the ocean now and the time you can save! Was Matthew Maury a genius? No, just a simple-minded Bible-believing Christian who never doubted for a minute that there were NO errors in the Bible, ever!

August 09 2024 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is meant by "... whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas." (Psalm 8:8)?

In Psalm 8:8, "whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas" refers to the marine life, such as fish and sea creatures, that move along the ocean's natural, unseen currents, highlighting God's comprehensive design of creation. It signifies that humanity has dominion over all aquatic creatures. 

The verse is part of a larger poetic description of the dominion God gave to humanity over all living things, including the sky, the land, and the sea.

The phrase underscores the order and purpose built into the natural world, suggesting that these ocean routes are structured paths. 

In ancient Hebrew culture, the sea often represented chaos and the unknown. By stating that there are "paths" even there, the Psalmist suggests that God has established order and design throughout the entire universe, including its most mysterious depths. 

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.

Psalm 8:1-9 is a hymn of praise that highlights God's majestic grandeur in creation and His surprising favour toward humanity. It contrasts God's immense glory in the heavens with the lowliness of humans, yet affirms that God has crowned people with dignity, authority, and purpose to steward the earth. 

Despite their smallness, humans are made "a little lower than the heavenly beings" (or God) and crowned with "glory and honor". They are given responsibility (dominion) over the works of God’s hands—the animals, birds, and sea creatures.

In summary, Psalm 8:1-9 is a reflection on the intersection of divine majesty and human purpose, designed to inspire worship and remind people of their value and stewardship responsibility before God. 

David understood the mandate given to Adam and His descendants at creation (Genesis 1:26-28 and 9:2). By both God's decree and through superior ability, man indeed has dominion over the other creatures and resources of the earth.

As part of this authority, humanity has the responsibility to wisely manage the creatures and resources of this earth in a way that gives God glory and benefits society. It means it is wrong to see man merely as part of the ecosystem (thus denying his God-ordained dominion).

2 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report