Psalms 80:17
But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "the man of your right hand" is more than just an honorific; it's a plea for God to place His protecting power upon the one He has designated and empowered to be His representative, the one chosen and equipped for a divine purpose. This isn't just about a leader, but about someone God has specifically strengthened and set apart for Himself, highlighting a profound divine investment and expectation.
The psalm begins with a lament over Israel's suffering, depicted as a vine that God had planted but is now ravaged. The psalmist cries out for God to return and restore His people, addressing God as the one who cares for this vine. This plea continues, asking God to look down and protect both the "vineyard" and a specific "branch" or "son of man" that God Himself has strengthened.
The psalm is a desperate cry from a people in deep distress, feeling abandoned by God. What does it mean to pray for God's 'hand' to be upon someone?
This verse is a prayer, a plea directed to God. The repetition of "thy hand" and "thee" emphasizes a desperate need for God's direct involvement.
Who is this 'man of your right hand'? Is it a king, the nation, or someone even greater?
The phrase "man of your right hand" is rich with meaning, pointing to a person divinely appointed, favored, and empowered.
Understand the original words
yad · Hebrew Noun
Used metaphorically to denote divine power, authority, agency, and protection; resting one's hand on someone signifies commissioning, blessing, and sustaining grace.
ben adam · Hebrew Noun phrase
A human being, often highlighting the frailty and mortality of mankind, but also used messianically to refer to one designated by God to rule or restore His people.
amatz · Hebrew Verb
The act of sovereignly establishing, confirming, or endowing someone with power and resolve to fulfill a divine purpose.
This psalm, likely written during or after the devastation of Jerusalem and the Temple, cries out for God's intervention. The plea 'Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand' can be understood as a prayer for the king (representing Judah) or, in a deeper, Messianic sense, for Christ himself, who embodies God's strength and future restoration for His people.
c. 931 BC
Division of the United Monarchy
Following the death of Solomon, the united kingdom of Israel splits into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel (ten tribes) and the southern Kingdom of Judah (two tribes). This division marks a period of political instability and religious apostasy.
c. 732 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Israel
The Neo-Assyrian Empire invades the northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting significant portions of its population. This event weakens Israel and sets the stage for its eventual destruction.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Destruction of Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian army captures Samaria, the capital of the northern Kingdom of Israel. This marks the end of the northern kingdom and the scattering of its people, often referred to as the 'lost tribes'.
c. 609 BC
Josiah's Death and Egyptian Influence
King Josiah of Judah is killed in battle against the Egyptians at Megiddo. This weakens Judah and increases Egyptian influence, leading to further political turmoil.
This passage speaks of the Word becoming flesh, directly paralleling the idea of God strengthening and acting through 'the son of man' in the psalm.
Matthew 1:21-23The prophecy of Jesus, the son of Mary, being called 'Immanuel' (God with us) highlights the divine empowerment of a human figure, resonating with the psalm's plea for God's hand upon the strengthened son of man.
Hebrews 1:3This verse describes Christ as the radiance of God's glory and the exact image of his nature, upholding all things by his powerful word, which deeply connects with the psalm's request for God's hand on the one He has made strong.
Colossians 1:15-17The description of Christ as the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, through whom all things were created and in whom all things hold together, strongly echoes the concept of God making a specific 'son of man' strong for Himself.
Acts 2:33Peter declares that Jesus was exalted to the right hand of God and received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, directly linking Jesus to the 'man of your right hand' in the psalm.
clarkePsalms 80:17: "Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself."
The man of thy right hand - The only person who can be said to be at the right hand of God as intercessor, is Jesus the Messiah. Let him become our Deliverer: appoint him for this purpose, and let his strength be manifested In our weakness! By whom are the Jews to be restored, if indeed they ever be restored to their own land, but by Jesus Christ? By Him alone can they find m…
pulpitPsalms 80:17: "Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself."
Verse 17. - Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand. Either upon Israel generally, or upon Ephraim - the northern kingdom - especially. A Judaean poet interceding for the rival state, is touching. Upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself (comp. ver. 15 and the comment).
The phrase "the man of your right hand" is more than just an honorific; it's a plea for God to place His protecting power upon the one He has designated and empowered to be His representative, the one chosen and equipped for a divine purpose. This isn't just about a leader, but about someone God has specifically strengthened and set apart for Himself, highlighting a profound divine investment and expectation.
The psalm begins with a lament over Israel's suffering, depicted as a vine that God had planted but is now ravaged. The psalmist cries out for God to return and restore His people, addressing God as the one who cares for this vine. This plea continues, asking God to look down and protect both the "vineyard" and a specific "branch" or "son of man" that God Himself has strengthened.
The psalm begins with a lament over Israel's suffering, depicted as a vine that God had planted but is now ravaged. The psalmist cries out for God to return and restore His people, addressing God as the one who cares for this vine. This plea continues, asking God to look down and protect both the "vineyard" and a specific "branch" or "son of man" that God Himself has strengthened.
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Why does the psalmist emphasize that this 'son of man' was made strong 'for yourself,' meaning for God's own purposes?
The strength given to this individual is not for personal glory but is specifically for fulfilling God's agenda.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon conquers Judah and begins deporting elites and skilled workers to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II destroy Jerusalem and its sacred Temple, ending the Davidic monarchy and initiating a second, larger deportation. This is a catastrophic event for the people of Judah.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. This marks the end of the Babylonian exile.
"But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!" — The phrase "the man of your right hand" is more than just an honorific; it's a plea for God to place His protecting power upon the one He has designated and empowered to be His representative, the on…
