From Hebrews 2:6–9, we know that this psalm is speaking about the Lord Jesus. There we find out He is the Son of Man; this is what the psalm is about. The first Hebrew word “man” in this verse speaks of “frail, mortal man,” and we may well agree with David, who asked why would God be mindful of him? But the Son of Man speaks of the Lord Jesus, and indeed He is the One who is worthy of all God’s thoughts and of ours!

The name “Son of Man” has several important meanings. It means that the eternal Son of God truly became Man. He did so in order to be the Kinsman-Redeemer to redeem others of mankind.

This name also is connected with Christ’s rejection, suffering, and future glorification. It is striking that in the Gospels, after telling the disciples to no longer announce Him as the Christ, or Messiah, He then goes on to say that as the Son of Man He would suffer many things, be rejected, be killed, and after three days rise again (Mt. 16:13–21; Mk. 8:29–31). Hebrews 2 tells us that He was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, and we know that He is already crowned with glory and honor at the Father’s right hand (Heb. 2:9). Already He is in the place of supreme exaltation, but this psalm looks on to the public display of His glory, when He will be seen publicly to rule over all the works of God’s hands and when everything will be put under His feet (Ps. 8:6). As Son of David, He will rule over the restored nation of Israel, but as Son of Man, He will have dominion over all nations, and indeed everything in heaven and in earth (Eph. 1:10).