Psalms 109:31
For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יַ֭עֲמֹד
For he shall stand
H5975
יַ֭עֲמֹד
For he shall stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
2 of 7
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
לִימִ֣ין
at the right hand
H3225
לִימִ֣ין
at the right hand
Strong's:
H3225
Word #:
3 of 7
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
לְ֝הוֹשִׁ֗יעַ
to save
H3467
לְ֝הוֹשִׁ֗יעַ
to save
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
Cross References
Psalms 16:8I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.Psalms 121:5The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.Psalms 140:12I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.Psalms 73:23Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.Psalms 110:5The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.Isaiah 54:17No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.Psalms 68:5A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.Psalms 72:4He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.Ecclesiastes 5:8If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.Psalms 10:14Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.
Historical Context
Ancient courts favored the powerful; the poor rarely received justice (Exodus 23:6, Proverbs 22:22, Isaiah 10:1-2). God's law commanded special protection for the powerless (Deuteronomy 24:17-18). God himself becomes their defender when human courts fail. This theme runs throughout Scripture: God sides with the vulnerable against oppressors.
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing God stands as your advocate affect your response to accusation?
- What does it mean that God specifically defends the "poor" (afflicted, powerless, marginalized)?
- How does Christ's intercession at God's right hand (Romans 8:34) fulfill this verse perfectly?
Analysis & Commentary
For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor (כִּי־יַעֲמֹד לִימִין אֶבְיוֹן, ki-ya'amod limin evyon)—Amad means stand, take a stand; yamin means right hand, the place of advocacy/defense; evyon means poor, needy, afflicted. To save him from those that condemn his soul (לְהוֹשִׁיעַ מִשֹּׁפְטֵי נַפְשׁוֹ, lehoshi'a mi-shoftei nafsho)—Yasha means save, deliver; shoftei means those who judge; nefesh means soul, life, person.
This verse explains the confidence behind verse 30's praise: God stands as advocate for the powerless. The "right hand" is the position of the defender in court. While enemies accuse, God stands as defense attorney for the evyon (afflicted poor). This anticipates Christ's advocacy: "We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1). Romans 8:34 says Christ "is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."