I have set the LORD always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
-Psalm 16:8-9
This summer, I moved into a house with my dad. After so many years of his being overseas, it’s been nice having him around. One of the great things about living with Dad is the feeling of security of knowing someone I trust is there. I don’t see a whole lot of Dad because of the schedule I keep, but I do rest a little better at night knowing someone else is there.
We all want to know that someone has our back, so to speak. This idea is conveyed in Psalm 16. The phrase “at my right hand” is particularly interesting. It conveys the idea of an advocate or defender. The Interpreters Bible notes that “for a man to have God at his right hand means God’s shield hand is next to him [protecting him] leaving God’s sword hand free to fight the enemy.” No wonder the Psalmist could say “I will not be shaken.”
The Psalmist ends verse nine with “my body will rest secure.” I don’t know about you, but I am all for my body being able to rest secure. Put God before you, and He is also at your right hand fighting with and for you. You too can rest secure.