Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. This and the following verses are quoted by Peter in his sermon on the Day of Pentecost. 1. Those who set the Lord always before them have an habitual impression of His all-seeing eye and immediate presence. David, we know, had this habitual impression. He was aware how highly important to him was this near presence of the Almighty, and what a beneficial, influence it shed over all his prospects. 2. It implies an habitual regard to the Lord's will as the rule of our actions. Faithful Christians must make it their constant study to ascertain what is the will of God respecting themselves, and then set this will before them as the rule of their life. It should not only be a consideration with them, but their chief consideration. Those who make the will of God their rule cannot err. They look at it as sailors to the pole star, in order that they may direct their course thereby. 3. It implies making the Lord's glory the end of all our aims. The glory of the Lord is that one object of surpassing importance which absorbs all other considerations. To set the Lord always before us is to keep this end always in view. 4. It implies making Him the object of our trust and dependence in all circumstances. 1. The practice of setting the Lord always before us is a bright evidence of the sincerity of our faith. Faith is a living and abiding principle, constantly in operation. Faith is that principle within the man which realises and embodies everything which is spiritual. 2. A constant sense of the presence of God is a sure means of counteracting the influence of the fear of man, which bringeth a snare. 3. A sense of the Lord's constant presence would be a spur to our diligence and activity in endeavouring to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. A persuasion that the eye of the Lord is in every place, beholding the evil and the good, would have a wonderful effect in exciting the runners of the Christian race to put forth their utmost powers to strain every nerve, that they may come in first to the goal. Now see a few lights in which you should make it your habit to set the Lord always before you — (1)You are directed to set before yourselves the Lord as your chief good, the highest object of your aims. (2) We are to look upon God, in Christ, as our owner. God possesses a right over us as our Maker and Preserver. (3) We are to set the Lord Jesus before us as a Judge. We should not merely give a general assent to the truth of the judgment which will hereafter take place, and that Christ will occupy the throne then, but we are to consider Him as seated now upon the tribunal, and taking cognisance of all our transactions. (T. Chambers, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.WEB: I have set Yahweh always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. |
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