The LORDis thy keeper: the LORDis thy shade upon thy right hand.
The Lord Himself is His people's personal keeper, guarding and protecting them like shade at their right hand. David trusted this keeping in the danger and insecurity of the wilderness, looking to God as his protector there. Shade at the right hand means close, watchful presence, for the Lord stands beside believers as protector and refuge day and night. He knows them by name and stands ready to supply their needs.
This keeping is fulfilled in Jesus as the believer's friend, Keeper and Saviour, who cares for them and guards them against the enemy's power. He defends the believer from Satan's attacks, making the path of the redeemed safe. In the time of trouble and greatest peril, amid persecution, distress, want and famine, this protection does not mean freedom from suffering. Yet the faithful will not be abandoned or left to perish, for He will shield them, sustain them, provide for their needs even in famine, and preserve their souls, even while the wicked suffer hunger and pestilence.
Though in that peril they may fear their enemies will kill them, heavenly guardians surround them and attempts to take their lives are thwarted before the appointed time. The verse gives special assurance to those laboring in difficult fields that they have God's special protection and provision. Because the Lord has not forsaken His people, the verse is reason to trust His love and care to the end in doubt, perplexity and affliction. It calls them to remember His past care and acceptance, to rest in His care rather than give way to unbelief or despair, to praise Him even in affliction, and to expect to see His salvation.
The Lord Himself is His people's personal keeper, guarding and protecting them like shade at their right hand. David trusted this keeping in the danger and insecurity of the wilderness, looking to God as his protector there. Shade at the right hand means close, watchful presence, for the Lord stands beside believers as protector and refuge day and night. He knows them by name and stands ready to supply their needs.
This keeping is fulfilled in Jesus as the believer's friend, Keeper and Saviour, who cares for them and guards them against the enemy's power. He defends the believer from Satan's attacks, making the path of the redeemed safe. In the time of trouble and greatest peril, amid persecution, distress, want and famine, this protection does not mean freedom from suffering. Yet the faithful will not be abandoned or left to perish, for He will shield them, sustain them, provide for their needs even in famine, and preserve their souls, even while the wicked suffer hunger and pestilence.
Though in that peril they may fear their enemies will kill them, heavenly guardians surround them and attempts to take their lives are thwarted before the appointed time. The verse gives special assurance to those laboring in difficult fields that they have God's special protection and provision. Because the Lord has not forsaken His people, the verse is reason to trust His love and care to the end in doubt, perplexity and affliction. It calls them to remember His past care and acceptance, to rest in His care rather than give way to unbelief or despair, to praise Him even in affliction, and to expect to see His salvation.