Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. If we observe the pursuits of men of the world we see how they set their object, be it what it may, always before them. Success cannot be had without this. The same necessity exists in religion. If we would desire any real help now, and promised blessings hereafter, God must be to us ever present. Such piety is attended with God's constant protection and friendship. I. WHAT IT IS TO SET THE LORD ALWAYS BEFORE US. It is to maintain a supreme and habitual regard for God, according to the relations which He sustains towards us. In the world, if a man has fixed his supreme regard on wealth, though he may often think and talk on other subjects, yet he never forgets this one. Let anything occur that will affect it, and you will always find that his object is before him. Now, it is in the same way that we set the Lord always before us. We shall always regard Him as infinitely perfect — as our Lawgiver and Sovereign; as our Creator, Preserver, and Benefactor; as our Redeemer and Sanctifier; as a covenant God; as our Judge and Rewarder. Now, so to habitually regard God as to secure the practical influence of all these perfections and relations of God upon us is to set the Lord always before us. II. THE ADVANTAGE OF SO DOING. 1. In the daily business of our life — to keep us diligent, just in our dealings, and honest in all our transactions. 2. In the more unimportant and ordinary occurrences of life — to keep us faithful in life's little things, contented, cheerful, patient, devout. 3. In temptation we shall not be moved. It guards the heart against the world and Satan. 4. In holy obedience we shall be steadfast therein. 5. Preparation for all the scenes of life, for death and heaven. In prosperity he will remember God; in adversity he will trust God; in death he will be without fear; in the judgment day he will have confidence. And we can thus set God always before us. Is it safe or wise ever to forget Him? Do we thus set God always before us? What will they do from whose thoughts God is habitually excluded, when He shall be revealed in the clear light of eternity? (M. W. Taylor, D. D.) 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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