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Answer
The theme of Psalm 16 focuses on entrusting oneself to God’s care and walking closely with Him. The psalmist conveys throughout the lines a deep sense of devotion, expressing, “Lord, you are my everything.” David, the psalm’s author, concludes with a declaration of eternal trust in God’s goodness: “You reveal to me the path of life; in Your presence, there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” «Thou wilt show me the path of life: In Thy presence is fullness of joy; At Thy right hand, there are pleasures forevermore.», (Psalm 16:11, ESV).
David recognizes that God’s providence guides him on the path of life, even beyond death. He affirms, “You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will You let Your faithful one see decay” «For Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; Neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.», (Psalm 16:10). In the security of God’s presence, David experiences pure joy. He then makes an intriguing statement: “At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
The term “right hand” is used metaphorically in Scripture to symbolize God’s strength and power: “Your right hand, LORD, is glorious in power. Your right hand, LORD, crushes the enemy” (Exodus 15:6;see also Exodus 15:12;Psalm 18:35;Psalm 20:6;Psalm 63:8;98:1). God’s right hand leads and supports His people in times of need «Even there shall Thy hand lead me, And Thy right hand shall hold me.», (Psalm 139:10). Being “at the right hand of God” is a symbol of honor and favor.To inhabit a place of great honor and blessing (Psalm 45:9; Psalm 110:1). The Lord Jesus Christ now reigns in glory “at the right hand of God” (Mark 14:62; Acts 2:33; Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 3:1) and intercedes for those He has redeemed, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34). In the early church, believers extended “the right hand of fellowship” to offer a warm greeting and as a sign of acceptance and mutual camaraderie, “and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.” (Galatians 2:9).
When David said, “At your right hand are pleasures forever,” he was expressing trust in the knowledge that his life was eternally secure in the glorious presence of his all-powerful God. He was thinking beyond life on earth to everlasting life—resurrection life—in eternity. For this reason, on the Day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter cited David’s words (Psalm 16:8-11) and interpreted them as a prophecy of Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:25-31). Paul also quoted Psalm 16:10 at Antioch (Acts 13:35-37) as a reference to the Lord’s resurrection.
David’s confidence in God touHe cherished every aspect of his life, extending beyond mortality. He did not fear the end «Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. », (Psalm 23:4) because he trusted that not even death could interrupt the joy and pleasure of intimate fellowship with His Lord.
Furthermore, Christians today can say to God, “At your right hand are pleasures forevermore,” because we have the complete revelation of Christ’s resurrection and our participation in it (Romans 6:9;Romans 8:11;1 Corinthians 15:20,50-57;6:14). We know that Jesus Christ triumphed over death (Luke 24:6;Revelation 1:18). Christ’s death and resurrection completely changed the realities of life and death for all who believe in Him «Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; », (Hebrews 2:14). Jesus lived to die and died to live again. Now He lives so that we can partake of His life forever (Matthew 20:28;John 3:16;John 10:17,28;14:3,19).
Christ’s “path of death” opened up the “path of life” for us (John 14:6;1 John 5:11-12). And because we belong to Him, we too will enjoy the pleasures of God’s presence for all eternity (Colossians 3:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23) where no one can rob us of our joy “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”, (John 16:22).
When we are “at God’s right hand,” we are near to Him—so close that God needs only to extend His right hand that we might partake of the inexhaustible store of His abundant gifts and blessings. In the closeness of His presence, we are honored and privileged to enjoy His love, companionship, care, power, and protection.
The pleasures of this world are fleeting “choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;”, (Hebrews 11:25), but the complete joy of close fellowship in God’s presence endures forever: “Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness” (Isaiah 51:11; NLT; see also Isaiah 35:10; Zephaniah 3:17; Revelation 7:15-17).
