Christ Made Strong for God
Psalm 80:17
Let your hand be on the man of your right hand, on the son of man whom you made strong for yourself.


Of Jesus only can it be unreservedly said, that He is the man of God's right hand, and that He hath made Him strong for Himself. Of all the terms in the passage, we may indeed say that they are peculiarly emphatic, and embody views of character and position which could only be realized in the person and work of Christ.

I. THE IMPORT OF THE DESIGNATIONS HEREIN GIVEN TO CHRIST.

1. The Man of God's right hand. Inasmuch as a seat at the right hand among men is esteemed the place of honour and power, so the act of elevating to dignity and authority by Jehovah is spoken of as a placing at His right hand; and accordingly Jesus is referred to as sitting at His right hand, or as described in one instance, "the right hand of power." This leads us at once to perceive that the personal and official dignity of the Saviour are eplicity alluded to in our text, in His being called "the Man of God's right hand."

2. The Son of Man. Whilst the title in question implies the doctrine of Christ's perfect manhood, it equally implies that He was more than a mere man. Differing hence in these respects from all the sons of men — though still a man in His creature existence — with much expressiveness could He be called "the Son of Man."

II. THE APPOINTMENT OF JESUS TO THE OFFICE OF REDEEMER. Such appointment is expressly involved, if not explicitly stated, in the words, "whom Thou hast made strong for Thyself"; for God is thus represented as having chosen or designated "the Son of Man" to the office He thus holds. In this sense He "made Him" or appointed Him for Himself, to the office of Redeemer.

III. THE PECULIAR FITNESS OF THE MAN OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND TO DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE TO WHICH HE WAS APPOINTED. It is impossible for any created intelligence to say what strength, or amount of spiritual power, was required on the part of Jesus — the Man of God's right hand — to accomplish the work of redemption; but it behoves us not the less to direct our attention as closely as possible to the specific difficulties we know He had to encounter, that we may arrive at a fair estimate of His endurance; and hence of the greatness of that love and mercy by which these were animated.

IV. WHAT IS IMPLIED IN THIS PETITION, requesting God to let His hand be upon the Man of His right hand.

1. A perception of danger.

2. A consciousness that man's help is not to be found in himself.

3. A willingness to rely for salvation on the means appointed by God, through the Son of His love.

4. Full persuasion of God's willingness to confer the blessing thus sought.

(J. Allan.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.

WEB: Let your hand be on the man of your right hand, on the son of man whom you made strong for yourself.




A Prayer for the Messiah
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