New International VersionDavid said about him: “’I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
New Living TranslationKing David said this about him: ‘I see that the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
English Standard VersionFor David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
Berean Standard BibleDavid says about Him: ‘I saw the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Berean Literal BibleFor David says about Him: 'I foresaw the Lord before me continually; because He is at my right hand, I should not be shaken.
King James BibleFor David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
New King James VersionFor David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
New American Standard BibleFor David says of Him, ‘I SAW THE LORD CONTINUALLY BEFORE ME, BECAUSE HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, SO THAT I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN.
NASB 1995“For David says of Him, ‘I SAW THE LORD ALWAYS IN MY PRESENCE; FOR HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, SO THAT I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN.
NASB 1977“For David says of Him, ‘I WAS ALWAYS BEHOLDING THE LORD IN MY PRESENCE; FOR HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, THAT I MAY NOT BE SHAKEN.
Legacy Standard BibleFor David says of Him, ‘I SAW THE LORD CONTINUALLY BEFORE ME; BECAUSE HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, SO THAT I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN.
Amplified BibleFor David says of Him, ‘I SAW THE LORD CONSTANTLY BEFORE ME; FOR HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, SO THAT I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN [from my state of security].
Christian Standard BibleFor David says of him: I saw the Lord ever before me; because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Holman Christian Standard BibleFor David says of Him: I saw the Lord ever before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
American Standard VersionFor David saith concerning him, I beheld the Lord always before my face; For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Contemporary English VersionWhat David said are really the words of Jesus, "I always see the Lord near me, and I will not be afraid with him at my right side.
English Revised VersionFor David saith concerning him, I beheld the Lord always before my face; For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThis is what David meant when he said about Jesus: 'I always see the Lord in front of me. I cannot be moved because he is by my side.
Good News TranslationFor David said about him, 'I saw the Lord before me at all times; he is near me, and I will not be troubled.
International Standard Versionsince David says about him, 'I always keep my eyes on the Lord, for he is at my right hand so that I cannot be shaken.
NET BibleFor David says about him, 'I saw the Lord always in front of me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken.
New Heart English BibleFor David says concerning him, 'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand, that I should not be shaken.
Webster's Bible TranslationFor David speaketh concerning him, I saw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Weymouth New TestamentFor David says in reference to Him, "'I constantly fixed my eyes upon the Lord, because He is at my right hand in order that I may continue unshaken. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleDavid says about Him: ‘I saw the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
World English BibleFor David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionfor David says in regard to Him: I foresaw the LORD always before me—Because He is on my right hand—That I may not be moved;
Berean Literal BibleFor David says about Him: 'I foresaw the Lord before me continually; because He is at my right hand, I should not be shaken.
Young's Literal Translation for David saith in regard to him: I foresaw the Lord always before me -- because He is on my right hand -- that I may not be moved;
Smith's Literal TranslationFor David says about him, I saw beforehand the Lord before me always, for he is of my right hand, that I be not moved: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor David saith concerning him: I foresaw the Lord before my face: because he is at my right hand, that I may not be moved.
Catholic Public Domain VersionFor David said about him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always in my sight, for he is at my right hand, so that I may not be moved.
New American BibleFor David says of him: ‘I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
New Revised Standard VersionFor David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor David said concerning him, I foresaw my Lord always, for he is on my right hand, so that I should not be shaken:
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishFor David said about him: “I foresaw my Lord always who was upon my right hand that I should not be disquieted.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentFor David speaks with reference to him: I saw the Lord always in my presence: for he is at my right hand, that I should not be moved.
Godbey New TestamentFor David says in reference to him, I foresaw my Lord always before me, because he is on my right hand, in order that I may not be moved.
Haweis New TestamentFor David speaketh concerning him, “I have seen the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand, that I might not be shaken:
Mace New Testamentfor David says concerning him, "I had the Lord always present before me, he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.
Weymouth New TestamentFor David says in reference to Him, "'I constantly fixed my eyes upon the Lord, because He is at my right hand in order that I may continue unshaken.
Worrell New TestamentFor David says concerning Him, 'I beheld the Lord in my presence continually; because He is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.
Worsley New TestamentFor David saith concerning Him, "I set the Lord always before me, for He is at my right hand, that I should not be moved: therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Peter Preaches to the Crowd… 24But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for Him to be held in its clutches. 25DavidsaysaboutHim:‘I sawtheLordalwaysbeforeme;becauseHe isatmyright hand,I will not be shaken.26Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will dwell in hope,…
Cross References Psalm 16:8-11I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. / Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will dwell securely. / For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay. ...
Acts 13:35-37So also, He says in another Psalm: ‘You will not let Your Holy One see decay.’ / For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep. His body was buried with his fathers and saw decay. / But the One whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.
Psalm 110:1A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
Luke 24:44-46Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” / Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. / And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,
1 Corinthians 15:4that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
Hebrews 1:13Yet to which of the angels did God ever say: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet”?
Matthew 22:43-45Jesus said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord’? For he says: / ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’ / So if David calls Him ‘Lord,’ how can He be David’s son?”
Mark 12:36Speaking by the Holy Spirit, David himself declared: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’
John 20:9For they still did not understand from the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.
Romans 6:9For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him.
1 Peter 1:11trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
Isaiah 53:10-12Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. / After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities. / Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.
Psalm 132:11The LORD swore an oath to David, a promise He will not revoke: “One of your descendants I will place on your throne.
2 Samuel 7:12-16And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. / He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. / I will be his Father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. ...
Isaiah 55:3Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.
Treasury of Scripture For David speaks concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: David. Acts 2:29,30 Menand brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day… Acts 13:32-36 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, … I foresaw. Psalm 16:8-11 I have set the LORD always before me: becausehe is at my right hand, I shall not be moved… for. Psalm 73:23 Nevertheless Iam continually with thee: thou hast holdenme by my right hand. Psalm 109:31 For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to savehim from those that condemn his soul. Psalm 110:5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. I should not. Psalm 21:7 For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved. Psalm 30:6 And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. Psalm 62:2,6 He onlyis my rock and my salvation;he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved… Jump to Previous AlwaysConstantlyContinuallyContinueDavidEyesFaceFixedForesawHandMovedOrderPresenceReferenceRegardRightSpeakethTimesUnshakenJump to Next AlwaysConstantlyContinuallyContinueDavidEyesFaceFixedForesawHandMovedOrderPresenceReferenceRegardRightSpeakethTimesUnshakenActs 2 1.The apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, and speaking various languages,12.are admired by some, and derided by others;14.whom Peter disproves;37.he baptizes a great number who were converted;41.who afterwards devoutly and charitably converse together;43.the apostles working many miracles,46.and God daily increasing his church.David says about Him:This phrase introduces a quotation from King David, highlighting the prophetic nature of his words. David, a central figure in Israel's history, is often seen as a type of Christ, foreshadowing the Messiah. The reference to David underscores the continuity between the Old Testament prophecies and their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. This connection is crucial for understanding the legitimacy of Jesus as the promised Messiah, as David's lineage and his writings in the Psalms are frequently cited in the New Testament to affirm Jesus' messianic role. ‘I saw the Lord always before me;
This part of the verse emphasizes the constant presence and guidance of the Lord. In the context of David's life, it reflects his reliance on God during times of trial and triumph. For early Christians, this statement would resonate as an assurance of Christ's presence and guidance. Theologically, it speaks to the omnipresence of God and the believer's ability to live with the awareness of God's continual presence. This phrase also connects to the idea of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, always leading and protecting His flock. because He is at my right hand,
The right hand is a position of honor and strength. In ancient cultures, being at someone's right hand signified a place of power and support. For David, this meant God's unwavering support and strength in his kingship and personal life. In the New Testament context, it reflects Jesus' exalted position at the right hand of God, as seen in passages likeHebrews 1:3. This imagery reinforces the authority and power of Christ, who intercedes for believers and reigns with God. I will not be shaken.
This phrase conveys a sense of security and stability. For David, it meant confidence in God's protection and promises, despite the challenges he faced. In the broader biblical narrative, it speaks to the unshakeable foundation that faith in God provides. For Christians, this assurance is found in Jesus Christ, who is described as the cornerstone and the rock of salvation. This confidence is echoed in other scriptures, such asPsalm 62:6, where the psalmist declares trust in God as a refuge and fortress. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidKing David, the second king of Israel, is the speaker in this prophecy. He is revered as a man after God's own heart and is a central figure in the lineage of Jesus Christ. 2. The LordRefers to God, whom David sees as ever-present and supportive. In the context of Acts 2, this is understood as a reference to Jesus Christ, affirming His divinity and presence. 3. Peter's Sermon at PentecostThis event takes place during the Feast of Pentecost, where the Apostle Peter addresses the crowd, explaining the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and connecting it to Old Testament prophecies. 4. JerusalemThe city where the events of Pentecost occur, significant as the center of Jewish worship and the location of the early Christian church's birth. 5. The Right HandA position of honor and authority, symbolizing God's power and support for David, and by extension, for Jesus as the Messiah. Teaching Points The Assurance of God's PresenceJust as David was confident in God's presence, believers today can trust that God is always with them, providing strength and stability. The Fulfillment of ProphecyActs 2:25 demonstrates the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in Jesus Christ, affirming the reliability of Scripture and God's sovereign plan. The Role of Jesus as LordRecognizing Jesus at the right hand of God emphasizes His authority and divinity, encouraging believers to submit to His lordship in their lives. The Importance of Scripture in Understanding JesusPeter's use of Scripture to explain Jesus' life and mission highlights the importance of knowing and applying the Bible to understand God's work in the world. Living with Confidence and StabilityWith God at our right hand, we are called to live without fear, trusting in His guidance and support through life's challenges. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Acts 2:25?
2.How does Acts 2:25 illustrate God's presence in our daily lives?
3.What does "I saw the Lord always before me" teach about faith?
4.How can David's confidence in Acts 2:25 inspire our trust in God?
5.Connect Acts 2:25 with Psalm 16:8. How do these verses complement each other?
6.How can we apply the assurance of God's presence in Acts 2:25 today?
7.How does Acts 2:25 affirm the divinity of Jesus through David's prophecy?
8.What historical evidence supports the fulfillment of David's prophecy in Acts 2:25?
9.How does Acts 2:25 connect to the resurrection of Jesus?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 2?
11.What does 'The LORD said to my Lord' mean?
12.Psalm 86:11 – What historical or archaeological evidence exists to support that David personally composed this prayer?
13.What is the date of the Psalms' composition?
14.If Psalm 140 is attributed to David, is there concrete evidence supporting his authorship, or could it be someone else?What Does Acts 2:25 Mean I saw the Lord always before me• Peter repeats David’s words fromPsalm 16:8 to show that David was looking forward to the risen Christ, not merely describing personal experience (Acts 2:30–31). • “Always before me” speaks of constant awareness of the Lord’s presence—an unbroken communion Jesus enjoyed with the Father (John 8:29), and a fellowship believers now share through the indwelling Spirit (John 14:16–18). • The line underlines Jesus’ perfect obedience and reliance on God’s will (Hebrews 10:7). Because the Lord was continually before Him, every thought, word, and deed was shaped by that divine fellowship. • For us, it models a life lived “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).
Because He is at my right hand• In ancient settings, the right hand was the place of power and protection (Psalm 110:1). David’s prophetic statement anticipates the Father’s sustaining presence with Christ during His earthly ministry and His exaltation afterward (Acts 2:33). • Jesus testified to this support: “The One who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone” (John 8:29). Even at the cross the Father’s sovereign plan was intact (Isaiah 53:10). • For believers, Christ now stands at God’s right hand interceding for us (Romans 8:34), assuring us of continual advocacy and strength (Hebrews 7:25). • Practical takeaway: we serve from a position of granted authority, not in our own strength (Ephesians 1:19–21).
I will not be shaken• The resurrection is the ultimate proof that Jesus was unshakable. Death could not keep Him, fulfilling David’s prophecy that God would not abandon His Holy One to decay (Psalm 16:10;Acts 2:24). • “Not be shaken” conveys absolute security; the Father upheld the Son through betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and burial (John 10:17–18). • Our confidence mirrors His: “We are receiving an unshakable kingdom” (Hebrews 12:28). • When Christ’s presence and power frame our outlook, circumstances lose their power to destabilize us (Philippians 4:6–7;2 Timothy 1:12).
summaryActs 2:25 shows David prophetically describing Messiah’s unbroken fellowship with the Father, the Father’s sustaining power at His right hand, and the resulting unshakable victory displayed in the resurrection. Because Jesus lives in that constant presence and now shares it with every believer, we, too, can walk in confident awareness of God, rest in His power, and stand unshaken no matter what comes. (25) For David speaketh concerning him.--More accurately, in reference to Him-- i.e.,in words which extended to Him. Reading Psalms 16 without this interpretation, it seems as if it spoke only of the confidence of the writer that he would be himself delivered from the grave and death. Some interpreters confine that confidence to a temporal deliverance; some extend it to the thought of immortality, or even of a resurrection. But Peter had been taught, both by his Lord and by the Spirit, that all such hopes extend beyond themselves--that the ideal of victory after suffering, no less than that of the righteous sufferer, was realised in Christ. The fact of the Resurrection had given a new meaning to prophecies which would not, of themselves, have suggested it, but which were incomplete without it. He is on myright hand.--The Psalmist thought of the Eternal as the warrior thinks of him who, in the conflict of battle, extends his shield over the comrade who is on the left hand, and so guards him from attack. When the Son of Man is said to sit on the right hand of God (Psalm 110:1;Matthew 26:64) the imagery is different, and brings before us the picture of a king seated on his throne with his heir sitting in the place of honour by his side. Verse 25.- Saith for speaketh, A.V.; heheld for foresaw, A.V. The sixteenth psalm is ascribed to David in the title prefixed to it in the Hebrew and the LXX. Without pronouncing the titles to be infallible, we must confess that they carry great weight with them in the absence of any strong internal evidence against them. Meyer speaks of the psalm as "certainly later than David," and Ewald and others ascribe it to the time of the Captivity; but Hitzig thinks the internal evidence is in favor of its belonging to the time before David ascended the throne ('Speaker's Commentary'). We may safely rest on the authority of St. Peter here and St. Paul ( Acts 13:35, 36), and be satisfied that it is really David's. The manner in which it is quoted by the two apostles is also very strong evidence that by the Jews of that day it was generally admitted to be a Messianic psalm. The following quotation is verbatim from the LXX.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek DavidΔαυὶδ(Dauid)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1138:David, King of Israel. Of Hebrew origin; Dabid, the Israelite king.saysλέγει(legei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004:(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.aboutεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.Him:αὐτόν(auton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.‘I sawΠροορώμην(Proorōmēn)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4308:From pro and horao; to behold in advance, i.e. to notice previously, or to keep in view.theτὸν(ton)Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.LordΚύριον(Kyrion)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962:Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.alwaysδιὰ(dia)Preposition
Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.beforeἐνώπιόν(enōpion)Preposition
Strong's 1799:Neuter of a compound of en and a derivative of optanomai; in the face of.me;μου(mou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.becauseὅτι(hoti)Conjunction
Strong's 3754:Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.He isἐστιν(estin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.atἐκ(ek)Preposition
Strong's 1537:From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.myμού(mou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.right hand,δεξιῶν(dexiōn)Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 1188:On the right hand, right hand, right. From dechomai; the right side or hand.I will not be shaken.σαλευθῶ(saleuthō)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4531:From salos; to waver, i.e. Agitate, rock, topple or destroy; figuratively, to disturb, incite.
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NT Apostles: Acts 2:25 For David says concerning him 'I saw (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
