The Malbim explains this pasuk in keeping with his approach to the whole chapter. This particular piece is long and complex and is challenging to render into English so please bear with me, I believe that it will be worthwhile!
After spending the first few pesukim of the chapter discussing the philosophical approach of the insignificance of man as compared to the rest of the universe, in the coming pesukim, David Hamelech explains the Torah’s approach.
He divides his argument into four strands, Chomer (substance), Tzura (form), Poeles (activity) and Tachlis (object). Through examining at these four categories one can see clearly the superiority of man over all other living beings.
The first argument is related to chomer, man’s substance, where the Torah takes a very different stance to the philosophers. The philosophers define man as a living being who can speak, whereas the Torah views man as a speaking being who is alive. Although this may appear to be a subtle point, it is by no means semantics and has major implications to the discussion as to whether man is more similar to the angels or to the animals. These points are crucial to our lives as the way we view ourselves has a major impact on the way we conduct ourselves and lead our lives.
Wishing you a shavua tov, may it be full of good news for am yisrael
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