Good Morning Yamon Ki Yesepar;
Psalms 16:8: “I have set the Lord always before me because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
David gives us a little more insight into his relationship with God. He is telling us that he “sets” the Lord always before him. The word “set” is “shavah” which is used in a piel perfect form. The dominate use of the word “shavah” is to express a similarity, a likeness. By using the piel form he is saying that he is making every attempt to assume the likeness of God. The word “before” is “nagad” which expresses an idea of comparison. Hence, it appears what David is trying to show is that he is continually picturing God and what He is and setting that as the example of what the way he will follow.
Some years ago there was a popular saying which was taken from a Christian novel written many decades ago called “In His Steps.” In this novel a pastor challenged his congregation to ask the question: “What would Jesus Do?” The novel then followed how the lives of various individuals were challenged and changed by asking that question before making any important decision.
I believe this is what David is saying when he said: “I have set the Lord always before me.” He is asking the question: “What would Jehovah do?” Many of you who have been challenged by this expression have found it to have a profound effect on decisions you make. David, however, is a little more precise when he says that he does this because God is at his right hand. The word “right hand” is “yaman.” The very spelling of the word “yod, mem, nun,” suggest that the right hand represents the revealed and hidden knowledge of God. Yaman simply means the right hand, or turning to the right. However, in ancient times the right hand represented all that was good. It has been suggested by some historians that this came about because they did not have toilet paper in those days and the left hand became the substitute for… well you get the picture. Needless to say, I believe David’s point is that he asks that question: “What would God do?” because he knows that whatever God would do it would be good and right.
Not only would he be doing the good and right thing by follow the example of God, he would never be shaken. It is interesting that he does not use the word “lo” for “not” or “never” but uses the word “bal” which really means “nothing “like in a consumption or wasting away. The word shaken is “mavat” which is used to express weakness. So by following the example of God, David will not only be assured of doing the right thing but he will be assured that in all his endeavors he will not become weak or consumed.
There are many situations that arise in our lives where we are not sure what is right or wrong. Some things are just not spelled out in Scripture. Christians have argued for years over whether dancing, smoking, going to movies etc. is right or wrong. The Bible does not say: “Thou shalt not go to movies.” But David is saying that when he gets to a gray area he would simply ask the question as to what Jehovah would do or what would Jesus. do? Colossians 3:15: “Let the peace of God rule your heart.” If you don’t have peace in your heart that Jesus would do what you are about to do, you can bet it is not right and will weaken or consume you spiritually.
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