Psalm 16

"On my right hand..."

Read/pray the psalm. (Full text at bottom.)

9 I have set the Lord always before me; *

he is at my right hand; therefore I shall not fall….

12 You shall show me the path of life; in your presence is the fullness of joy, *

and at your right hand there is pleasure for evermore.

• Wait. Who’s on whose right hand here?

• The symbolism of the right hand and the left hand is extremely rich, with each and both together having many, many meanings.

  • (That shouldn’t surprise anyone, with a bit of reflection on the many practical differences in our two hands.)

• The LORD is indeed “at our right hand.”

As advocate (Psalm 109:31), or champion (Psalm 110:5; Psalm 121:5). A warrior defending another person would naturally stand on his right [under/behind the warrior’s shield]. [Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Psalm 16:9]

• In U.S. courtrooms, even today, the defense attorney stands and sits at the right hand of the defendant.

• Result: “Therefore, I shall not fall.” [9]

• But we are also at his right hand, by grace alone. (Matthew 25:32)

So…

• How are you under attack?

• Stand and picture yourself on an ancient battlefield, with the mighty Angel of the LORD to your right, covering you from all attack with an angelic shield.

• Raise your right hand, palm facing right.

• Pray: “The LORD is at my right hand; therefore I shall not fall.”

Psalm 16
Conserva me, Domine

1	Preserve me, O God, *
		for in you have I put my trust.
2	O my soul, you have said unto the Lord, *
		“You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” 
3	All my delight is upon the saints who are on the earth, *
		and upon those who excel in virtue. 
4	But those who run after another god *
		shall have great trouble.
5	Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, * 
		neither make mention of their names with my lips.
6	The Lord himself is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup; *
		you shall maintain my lot.
7	The boundaries have fallen for me in pleasant places; * 
		indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
8	I will thank the Lord for giving me counsel; * 
		my heart also chastens me in the night season.
9	I have set the Lord always before me; *
		he is at my right hand; therefore I shall not fall.
10	Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices. *
		My flesh also shall rest in hope.
11	For you shall not leave my soul in the grave, *
		neither shall you allow your Holy One to see corruption.
12	You shall show me the path of life; in your presence is the fullness of joy, *
		and at your right hand there is pleasure for evermore.

New Coverdale Psalter