What does “I shall not be moved” mean (Psalm 16:8)?

Answer

Psalm 16:8 is a confident and encouraging declaration from the psalmist, King David. In this verse, he proclaims, “I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved” (KJV). Other versions use the phrase “I shall not be shaken” instead of “I shall not be moved”; both phrases emphasize David’s unwavering belief. Throughout the psalm, David shows his dependence on and faith in God.

To elucidate the meaning of “I shall not be moved,” we can employ various metaphors. Picture a firmly grounded tree, a house constructed on a solid base, or a brave soldier holding the line in combat. We feel confident when we are aware of the support behind us. Similar to the awkward teenager standing up to bullies because of his stronger older brother standing beside him, we can confront life’s trials knowing that the Almighty is with us. He is “at my right hand.” This phrase was used by ancient people to represent a person’s ultimate source of strength and power.

David’s faith expressed in Psalm 16:8 is not limited to the present world, nor does it imply that he expected a life free of challenges. His assurance that he would not be moved was based on God’s power, which even extends beyond death. This trust can be compared to the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who stood before King Nebuchadnezzar and declared, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18;emphasis added).

God’s power is evident in Gen

Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Everything originates from the Ultimate Source, the Mind that brought forth conscious minds. God’s authority extends over evil, death, sin, suffering, and even Satan, as evidenced by Christ’s triumph on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:54-57; Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 2:14-15; Romans 8:11; John 11:25-26). The Creator holds the world in His hands, oversees human affairs, and embodies supreme wisdom (Psalm 24:1; Matthew 6:25-26; Romans 11:33-36).

Regrettably, humans often substitute God with other objects of reliance. In ancient times, individuals crafted gods from materials like wood or stone, or they worshipped the sun, moon, and stars “For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.”, (2 Chronicles 33:3). Modern societies may perceive ancient worship practices as primitive, yet we still create idols. As author Nancy Pearcey stated, “An idol is not necessarily something tangible, like a golden calf. It can also be something abstract, like matter. Is matter part of the created order? Certainly. So, the philosophy of materialism qualifies as an idol in the biblical sense” (www.biblegateway.com/blog/2015/12/finding-truth-an-interview-with-nancy-pearcey/, accessed 8/29/23). David emphasizes that those who worship other gods are on a misguided path “Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: Their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, Nor take up their names into my lips.”, (Psalm 16:4) passage explains the root of many present-day distortions of the truth. Humans were created to depend on the True God, and when we substitute Him, there are unavoidable consequences.

Jesus taught, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” « Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: », (Matthew 7:24). In contrast, “everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand” (verse 26). The one with foundations will not be moved; the other is guaranteed to be shaken by life’s storms. Those who place their trust in Christ have that unshakable foundation. Regardless of circumstances, we can walk with confidence, knowing that we are secure in His hands—both in the present and for eternity.