Psalm 8:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

To illustrate this point to the Jewish audience, he cites the same psalm, affirming that all things are entirely subject to our Lord Jesus Christ, leaving nothing outside His dominion (Heb. 2:8).

The psalmist’s words may not initially seem profound, with mentions of "all the sheep and the oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea, which walk in the paths of the sea" (Psalms 8:7). However, considering the heavenly glories and powers abandoned, along with humanity itself, it might appear that only animals have been placed under His authority. Yet, if we interpret sheep and oxen as symbolizing holy souls, as well as those beings that contribute to earthly fruitfulness—enabling men to achieve spiritual wealth—then we grasp a broader significance. Such holy souls encompass both humanity and the angelic beings, attesting to Christ's supremacy over all. Indeed, there will be no entity that is not subject to Him, including the higher spiritual beings.

To support the notion that the term "sheep" may refer not just to humanity, but to blessed spirits among the angelic creation, one can turn to the words of the Lord about leaving the ninety-nine sheep in the mountains and coming down for the one. This one lost sheep can symbolize a human soul descended from Adam, since Eve was fashioned from Adam's side (Genesis 2:21-22). Conversely, the ninety-nine remaining in the highlands can signify spirits that are not human but angelic.

Regarding the oxen, the analogy is straightforward. Humans are often referred to as oxen, especially as they embody the role of conveying the gospel message, reflecting the notion that “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.” Thus, it follows that the angels, as messengers of truth, can also be likened to oxen. Therefore, when we read that "You have subjected all the sheep and oxen," it encompasses the entirety of holy spiritual creation, which includes the righteous within the Church, often represented by comparisons to the moon and stars.

It is stated broadly that “You have made him ruler over the works of Your hands,” and elsewhere it is declared, “the works of Your hands are the heavens” (Psalm 101:26); thus, it is clear that He has also entrusted him with authority over the heavens. Moreover, this is related to the promise of inheriting the heavenly kingdom for those who have departed the earth (Rom. 8:17). Likewise, Paul asserts that we are “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:17).

It is crucial to understand this as well: “You have placed all things under his feet.” He has indeed subdued the beasts of the field; however, since humanity is called to share in the angelic life in heaven, even there, placed “over the works of His hands,” mankind will behold the heavenly realm and all that it encompasses. Blessed Paul elucidated that this will ultimately be realized in the Savior in the age to come. Hence, the Father commands Him, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool” (Heb. 1:13).

While dominion over these creatures is granted to humanity as a whole, the Word of God, having assumed our human nature, made it His sacred dwelling, called it His own flesh, and achieved an unparalleled unity, ruling "above every lordship and authority and power, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come." And He will place everything under His authority (Eph. 1:21-22), not just sheep and oxen but all of creation, both seen and unseen, as the divine Apostle declares, "Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, was crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death" (Heb. 2:9). He further states, "You have put all things in subjection under His feet" (Heb. 2:8). In the letter to the Corinthians, it is asserted, "But when it is said that all things are subjected to Him, it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection under Him" (1 Cor. 15:27). For the uncreated nature, being free, is the only exception to this subservience. However, all created beings, whether visible or invisible, are subject to the Lord Christ, both in His divine and human natures. This is the dignity bestowed upon human nature by the Sovereign of all. This is why the Prophet, at the close of the psalm, echoes its very beginning: "O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth."

The design for humanity is to coexist with the angels in the holy city of God, when they will be welcomed into the heavenly kingdom and placed in command over the works of God's hands, becoming stewards and guardians of all cosmic entities—the moon, stars, and everything in the celestial realm. The Epistle to the Hebrews sheds light on this verse concerning the forthcoming age: "He has put all things under his feet" (Hebrews 2:8). Following the brief journey of this life, in that new era marked by the glorious return of our Savior, as we anticipate the coming of the kingdom of heaven, at whatever time it may arrive, all things will ultimately be placed under His dominion. This aligns with the divine promise made by the Father to the Savior: "Sit thou at My right hand, until I make Thy enemies Thy footstool" (Psalms 109:1).