Bible Commentaries
Psalms 80

Verse 17

THE DIVINE MAN

‘Let Thy hand be upon the Man of Thy right hand.’

Psalms 80:17

In New Testament days I know the name of this transcendent and Divine Man. He is my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I. See in Him my God, my Redeemer.—He charged Himself with my iniquity. He stood condemned in my place, and to-day there is no condemnation awaiting me.

II. Hearken to Him, too, my God, as my Advocate.—He pleads for me—‘pleads His own fulfilment of all laws.’ He appears on my behalf in Thy heavenly place. Thou wilt bend and bow to me in condescension, in grace, in liberality, when I have such a Representative and Friend.

III. Consider Him also, my God, as my Hope and Goal.—I disappoint Thee often and sorely meantime. I fall lamentably short of the standard to which Thou wouldst have me aspire. But in Him, Who is without spot and blemish, Thou seest what I shall one day be. By and by I shall be pure as He is pure. And then I shall content Thy soul.

So, for me and my salvation, ‘let Thy hand be upon the Man of Thy right hand.’

Illustration

‘ The “Man of Thy right hand” may either be, the Man Whom Thy power has raised up, or the Man who occupies the post of honour at Thy right hand. That the words were intended to suggest both ideas, is a supposition perfectly agreeable to Hebrew usage. A more doubtful question is that in reference to the first words of the sentence, “ let Thy hand be upon him,” whether this means in favour or in wrath. The only way in which both senses can be reconciled is by applying the words to the Messiah as the ground of the faith and hope expressed. Let Thy hand fall not on us, but on our substitute. Compare the remarkably similar expressions in Acts 5:31.’