Psalms 16:8

8 1I have 2set the LORD always before me; because he is at my 3right hand, I shall not be 4shaken.

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Psalms 16:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 16:8

I have set the Lord always before me,
Not his fear only, or the book of the law, as Jarchi interprets it, but the Lord himself; or, "I foresaw the Lord always before my face", ( Acts 2:26 ) ; as Christ is set before men in the Gospel, to look unto as the object of faith and hope, to trust in and depend upon for life and salvation; so Jehovah the Father is the object which Christ set before him, and looked unto in the whole course of his life here on earth; he had always an eye to his glory, as the ultimate end of all his actions; and to his will, his orders, and commands, as the rule of them; and to his purposes, and counsel, and covenant, to accomplish them; and to his power, truth, and faithfulness, to assist, support, and encourage him in all his difficulties and most distressed circumstances;

because [he is] at my right hand:
to counsel and instruct, to help, protect, and defend: the phrase is expressive of the nearness of God to Christ, his presence with him, and readiness to assist and stand by him against all his enemies; see ( Psalms 109:31 ) ( 110:5 ) ( 121:5 ) ; so the Targum paraphrases it, "because his Shechinah rests upon me";

I shall not be moved:
as he was not from his place and nation, from the duty of his office, and the execution of it, by all the threats and menaces of men; nor from the fear, worship, and service of God, by all the temptations of Satan; nor from the cause of his people he had espoused, by all the terrors of death, the flaming sword of justice, and the wrath of God; but, in the midst and view of all, stood unshaken and unmoved; see ( Isaiah 42:4 ) ( 50:5-9 ) .

Psalms 16:8 In-Context

6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

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Cross References 4

  • 1. Cited Acts 2:25-28
  • 2. Psalms 119:30
  • 3. Psalms 109:31; Psalms 110:5; Psalms 121:5
  • 4. Psalms 10:6; Psalms 15:5
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.