I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. – Psalm 16:8
Although dates and details are often the things of legend, sometime in the fourth or fifth century, a Romano-British Christian missionary became bishop in Ireland. The lyrics of many hymns have been attributed to Patrick, now the Emerald Isle’s patron saint, including the Christmas carol, “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night.” Perhaps inspired by some of the Psalms of King David, Patrick also wrote, “Christ Beside me.” The first verse says, “ Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, King of my heart; Christ within me, Christ below me, Christ above me, never to part.”
That hymn proclaims the truth that God is always with you. Always. Because He is always before you, He is your constant guide. Because He is at your right hand, He is your defender. Because He both guides and defends you, you have no reason to be disturbed by fear or the onslaughts of evil. Theologian John Piper says, related to King David and this Psalm, “Because his refuge, his treasure, his sovereign, his counselor is always before him, and at this right hand, therefore, he says, ‘I will not be shaken.’ Which is a negative way of saying: ‘I will be preserved.’ My petition has become my confidence. I have moved from asking to affirming.”
Piper adds, “How did that happen? By declaring and exulting in what God is for him. Not just stating it, but overflowing with his own feelings about what God is for him. … And because he has declared and exulted in what God is for him as refuge, sovereign, treasure, and counselor — because he had put this God before him, and taken hold of him, and set him so to speak at his right hand — therefore, his petition (‘Preserve me, O God’ [Psalm 16:1]) has become his unshakable confidence: ‘I will not be shaken. I will be preserved.‘”
What a foundation for your life this is! Knowing God is always with you, keeping and preserving you, guiding and defending you. Praise Him with thanksgiving, and daily trust Him all the more.
Today’s Verse: Psalm 16:8
I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 16
Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.
4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.
5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
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.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
