Psalm 16:8

“I set the Lord before me” means to live with an awareness of His presence and to direct one’s own path and decisions according to His will. David does not keep his gaze on dangers and hardships, but first of all on the Lord. The phrase “He is at my right hand” shows God’s nearness, help, and protection. From that confidence is born David’s statement about steadfastness: “I will not be shaken.” This does not mean that there will never be sorrow, trial, or loss in his life. His firmness does not depend on the unchangeableness of circumstances, but on God’s presence and faithfulness. This verse also has a prophetic meaning concerning Christ. This becomes clearer in the following verses, where it speaks about the safety of the body, the grave, and not seeing corruption. In the New Testament Peter quotes Psalm 16:8–11 when speaking about the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:25–31). Therefore David’s confidence here at the same time prophetically prefigures Christ’s perfect confidence toward the Father. Throughout His whole path He set the Father before Him, entrusted Himself to His will, and even in the face of death was not shaken, knowing that death would not have final authority over Him. For this reason these words receive their full meaning in Christ, and the believer today also finds firmness in His victory and abiding presence.