What does Psalm 8:8 mean?

God also placed Adam and Eve in authority over the birds and fish (Genesis 1:28). Of course, human beings still exercise limited control over the birds and fish. We catch fish, and we house birds as pets or train them to perform feats, but sharks and stingrays have been known to maim and kill human beings, and millions of birds fly freely in the sky.

However, during His earthly ministry, Jesus offered a preview of the dominion He will someday exercise over the birds and fish. He told Peter, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me" (Luke 22:34). Luke 5:1–7 relates how Jesus encountered fishermen cleaning their nets after trying all night to catch fish. After borrowing Peter's boat to teach the crowd from, Jesus directed Peter to drop his nets once again for a catch. Peter told Jesus they had worked all night and caught nothing, but that he would do as Jesus asked. When Peter obeyed, so many fish swam into the nets that the nets were breaking. Following His resurrection, Jesus repeated this miracle (John 21:4–6).

Animals respond to the will of their Creator. It seems only sinful man is inclined to disobey Jesus, but that situation, too, will be changed when every knee shall bow and "every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10–11).