Psalms 80:17

KJV

Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man [whom] thou madest strong for thyself.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let thy hand {H3027} be upon the man {H376} of thy right hand {H3225}, upon the son {H1121} of man {H120} whom thou madest strong {H553}{H8765)} for thyself.

Complete Jewish Bible

Help the man at your right hand, the son of man you made strong for yourself.

Berean Standard Bible

Let Your hand be upon the man at Your right hand, on the son of man You have raised up for Yourself.

American Standard Version

Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, Upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 80:17 is a fervent plea embedded within a communal lament, expressing Israel's deep distress and their desperate cry for divine restoration. It specifically petitions God to extend His protective and empowering hand upon a uniquely chosen individual, referred to as "the man of thy right hand" and "the son of man," whom God Himself has strengthened for His own redemptive purposes. This verse encapsulates the profound hope for a divinely appointed deliverer who will bring about the nation's salvation, revival, and the turning of God's favor back upon His beleaguered people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 80 is a poignant communal lament, part of the "Asaph" collection (Psalms 73-83), characterized by a profound national cry for divine restoration and a turning of God's face towards His people. The psalm is structured around a repeated refrain, "Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved" (e.g., [Psalms 80:3](/psalms/80-3 "Psalms 80:3 - Plea for Restoration")). It employs the vivid **Vine Metaphor**, portraying Israel as a vine brought out of Egypt and carefully planted by God, but now tragically ravaged, broken down, and exposed to its enemies ([Psalms 80:8-13](/psalms/80-8-13 "Psalms 80:8-13 - The Ravaged Vine Metaphor")). The lament builds to a climactic petition for God to "look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine" ([Psalms 80:14](/psalms/80-14 "Psalms 80:14 - God's Visitation of the Vine")), culminating in verse 17. This verse acts as a focal point for the psalm's desperate longing, identifying the specific hope for deliverance with a divinely appointed, empowered human figure, thereby shifting the focus from the general plight to the specific agent of restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The precise historical setting for Psalms 80 is debated among scholars, but its themes strongly suggest a period of significant national distress, possibly following a military defeat, an invasion, or during the Babylonian exile, particularly given the mention of the Northern Kingdom tribes (Ephraim, Benjamin, Manasseh in [Psalms 80:2](/psalms/80-2 "Psalms 80:2 - Tribes Mentioned")). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the "right hand" was a potent symbol of strength, authority, honor, and favor. To be at someone's right hand meant to occupy a position of chief support, trusted agent, or immense power. Kings frequently placed their most reliable advisors or heirs in such a position. The phrase "son of man" was a common Hebrew idiom, _ben-'ādām_, simply meaning a human being, emphasizing humanity's frailty and dependence on God. However, in prophetic and poetic contexts, it could also denote a unique, divinely chosen individual, as seen later in the profound vision of [Daniel 7:13](/daniel/7-13 "Daniel 7:13 - The Son of Man Coming with Clouds"). The plea for God's "hand" to be upon someone signifies divine protection, guidance, and empowerment, a pervasive biblical motif for God's active and sovereign presence in human affairs.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 80:17 contributes significantly to several overarching theological and narrative themes within the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Intervention** and the absolute dependence on God for salvation; the people's hope is not in human strength or ingenuity alone, but in God's active "hand" upon a chosen one. Secondly, it highlights the **Role of a Chosen Deliverer**, a figure uniquely favored and empowered by God to execute His redemptive plan. This individual is explicitly "made strong for thyself," emphasizing that their strength, purpose, and mission are entirely God-ordained and for His glory, not for personal ambition. Thirdly, the verse carries profound **Messianic Foreshadowing**. While it may have initially referred to a contemporary king or leader in Israel, the titles "man of thy right hand" and especially "son of man" resonate deeply with later prophetic literature. This foreshadows the ultimate deliverer, the Messiah, who would indeed be the one at God's right hand, bringing ultimate restoration and salvation to His people, a theme powerfully picked up in [Psalm 110:1](/psalms/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Lord at God's Right Hand").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** This primitive word refers to the open hand, indicating power, means, direction, and active involvement. In this context, "Let thy hand be upon" signifies God's active, protective, and empowering presence. It symbolizes divine authority, blessing, and the direct exertion of God's will upon the chosen individual. It is not merely passive favor but an active, sustaining force.
* **Man (Hebrew, _ʼîysh'_):** This term denotes a man as an individual or a male person, often used to emphasize a specific, distinct individual rather than mankind in general. Here, in conjunction with "of thy right hand," it specifies a particular human agent chosen by God for a unique role, distinguishing him as a singular figure of divine appointment.
* **Son (Hebrew, _bên'_):** From the root meaning "to build," this word primarily means "son" but extends to include a wide range of relationships, often denoting a member of a group or a specific quality. When combined with "man" (_ʼâdâm_) to form "son of man," it emphasizes the human nature of the individual, yet in this context, it also carries the potential for a specific, divinely designated human, especially when paired with "man of thy right hand."
* **Madest strong (Hebrew, _ʼâmats'_):** This verb means "to be alert, physically or mentally strong, firm, bold." The Hiphil perfect form used here, _'immaṣtā_, means "you have made strong" or "you have strengthened." This explicitly attributes the strength, courage, and effectiveness of the chosen individual not to their inherent qualities or human effort, but directly to God's sovereign act. It underscores that this figure's power and ability to fulfill their mission are divinely imparted and sustained.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand":** This is a fervent petition for God's direct and active intervention. "Thy hand" represents God's power, protection, and blessing. The "man of thy right hand" refers to a uniquely favored and authoritative individual, positioned in a place of supreme honor and power alongside God, serving as His primary agent. It is a plea for God to empower and protect this chosen representative.
* **"upon the son of man":** This phrase serves as an appositive, further identifying and emphasizing the nature of the "man of thy right hand." It clarifies that this divinely favored figure is indeed a human being, yet one with a special, perhaps unique, designation. The parallelism reinforces the identity of the chosen one, highlighting both their humanity and their extraordinary divine appointment and calling.
* **"[whom] thou madest strong for thyself":** This final clause reveals both the source and the ultimate purpose of the chosen one's strength. The strength is not inherent but divinely imparted ("thou madest strong"). Crucially, this empowerment is "for thyself" – for God's own glory, for the fulfillment of His redemptive plan, and for the restoration of His people, rather than for the individual's personal ambition or gain. This emphasizes God's sovereignty over the deliverer and the mission.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 80:17 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message of hope and divine intervention. The psalm as a whole is rich in **Metaphor**, most notably the **Vine Metaphor** ([Psalms 80:8-16](/psalms/80-8-16 "Psalms 80:8-16 - The Vine of Israel")), where Israel is vividly depicted as a vine God brought out of Egypt, now suffering under attack. Verse 17 then shifts the focus to the human agent of restoration. The phrase "Let thy hand be upon" utilizes **Personification**, attributing a human characteristic (a hand) to God, symbolizing His active power, protection, and blessing in a tangible way. The core of the verse relies on **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, by referring to the same individual with two distinct yet complementary titles: "the man of thy right hand" and "the son of man." This repetition emphasizes the unique nature and divine appointment of this singular figure. Furthermore, the verse carries strong elements of **Foreshadowing**, particularly through the elevated and somewhat enigmatic titles used. While applicable to an immediate human leader, the language points beyond to a future, ultimate deliverer, hinting at a deeper, messianic fulfillment that transcends any single historical figure.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 80:17 is a profound theological statement on God's chosen method of deliverance and His ultimate sovereignty in human affairs. It teaches that when God's people are in distress, their ultimate hope lies not merely in human leadership, military might, or political maneuvering, but in a divinely chosen and empowered individual through whom God will manifest His own strength and purpose. This verse encapsulates the deep longing for a messianic figure who would embody God's favor and execute His will for restoration and salvation. It highlights the crucial principle that true strength for God's work comes solely from God Himself, and is always directed towards His glory and the good of His people. The titles "man of thy right hand" and "son of man" are not just descriptive but deeply prophetic, pointing to a unique figure who would perfectly fulfill God's redemptive plan for humanity.

* [Psalm 110:1](/psalms/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Messiah at God's Right Hand")
* [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man's Dominion")
* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - God Strengthens His Servant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 80:17 serves as a timeless prayer for divine leadership and intervention in times of profound crisis, whether personal, communal, or national. It powerfully reminds us that our ultimate hope for restoration, deliverance, and flourishing rests not in human ingenuity, political power, or self-reliance, but in God's sovereign choice and empowerment of His chosen instruments. For believers today, this verse calls us to pray earnestly for leaders—in the church, in society, in government, and within our own families—who are genuinely "made strong for God Himself," whose strength, wisdom, and vision are derived from and dedicated entirely to God's purposes. It encourages us to recognize that God often works through human agents, but their effectiveness and fruitfulness are entirely dependent on His hand being upon them. When we feel overwhelmed by the challenges facing the "vine" of God's people or our own lives, our deepest plea should be for God to raise up, equip, and empower those who will faithfully serve His redemptive plan, trusting that He will provide the necessary strength and authority for their daunting tasks.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life, family, or community do you feel a deep need for God's restorative "hand" to be powerfully at work?**
* **How does the concept of strength being "for thyself" (meaning, for God's ultimate purpose and glory) challenge or affirm your understanding of leadership, service, and even personal ambition?**
* **Considering this verse, how can you specifically pray for those in positions of leadership, asking for God's hand to be upon them and for them to be strengthened for His divine purposes?**

### FAQ
**Who is "the man of thy right hand" and "the son of man" referring to in Psalms 80:17?**

Answer: In its immediate historical and literary context, "the man of thy right hand" and "the son of man" most likely refer to a contemporary leader or king in Israel, possibly the reigning Davidic monarch or a figure like Zerubbabel during the post-exilic period, whom the psalmists hoped God would empower to bring about national restoration. This individual would be God's chosen instrument, positioned in a place of honor and authority by divine favor. However, the language used is highly significant and carries a profound prophetic weight that extends beyond any single human king. The titles foreshadow a greater, ultimate deliverer. The phrase "son of man" becomes a key messianic title in later Jewish literature (e.g., [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man's Dominion and Kingdom")) and is famously used by Jesus Christ to refer to Himself, signifying both His full humanity and His divine authority. Therefore, while rooted in a specific historical plea, the verse ultimately points to the Messiah, who would perfectly fulfill these roles.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 80:17 finds its ultimate, most profound, and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the true "man of God's right hand," exalted to the highest place of honor and supreme authority at the Father's side following His resurrection and ascension ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ's Exaltation at God's Right Hand")). The New Testament consistently portrays Jesus as the one seated at God's right hand, signifying His completed work of redemption, His supreme power over all creation, and His ongoing intercession for His people ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")). Furthermore, Jesus frequently referred to Himself as the "Son of Man," a title He embraced that uniquely combined His full humanity with His divine, heavenly authority, echoing the majestic figure seen in [Daniel 7:13](/daniel/7-13 "Daniel 7:13 - The Son of Man Coming with Clouds")). He was indeed "made strong for God Himself," empowered by the Holy Spirit for His mission of salvation, culminating in His triumph over sin, death, and the grave. Through Christ, the ravaged "vine" of humanity is not merely restored but transformed into a new creation, and God's face truly shines upon His people, bringing eternal salvation, abundant life, and ultimate renewal, perfectly fulfilling the deep longing expressed in this ancient psalm.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 110:1

¶ A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Psalms 89:21

With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.

Daniel 7:13

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, [one] like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

Daniel 7:14

And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed.

Psalms 80:15

And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch [that] thou madest strong for thyself.

Isaiah 53:5

But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

John 5:21

For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth [them]; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.