For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.
Parallel translations
- WEB For he will stand at the right hand of the needy, to save him from those who judge his soul.
- BSB For He stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from the condemners of his soul.
- ESV For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.
- NKJV For He shall stand at the right hand of the poor, To save him from those who condemn him.
- NASB For He stands at the right hand of the needy, To save him from those who judge his soul.
- NLT For he stands beside the needy, ready to save them from those who condemn them.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David affirms that God stands at the right hand of the needy to save them from unjust judges. The Lord defends the very ones the wicked condemn.
Overview
In striking contrast to the accusing adversary at the wicked man's right hand (v. 6), God Himself stands at the needy person's right hand as defender and savior. This is the psalm's resolving confidence: God champions the poor against their oppressors. It points to Christ, the friend of sinners, who pleads for and rescues His people (Romans 8:34).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Ps 121:5The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
- Ps 16:8I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
- Ps 73:23Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
- Isa 54:17No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
- Ps 110:5The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
- Ps 140:12I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
- Prov 22:22–23Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
- Eccl 5:8If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
- Ps 68:5A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
- Ps 72:4He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
- Ps 72:12–13For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
- Ps 10:14Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.
- Ps 109:16Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.
- Acts 5:30–31The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
- Exod 22:22–24Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
- Acts 4:10–12Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 109:31 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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