Psalm 16:9-11
“Therefore, my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
What is the inspiration or story behind the song
The Westminster Catechism states that “The chief end of man is to glorify God AND enjoy Him forever.” Many years ago, I read a book by John Piper, “Desiring God, Meditations of a Christian Hedonist.” In that book he references this statement from the Westminster Catechism, but changes one word. “The chief end of man is to glorify God BY enjoying Him forever.”
When I read Desiring God for the first time this concept of glorifying God BY enjoying God resonated with me. I have a very hedonistic personality, and early on in my faith I was compressing the pursuit of any pleasure. Anyone who can relate knows this is very difficult. I didn’t understand why being a Christian meant I had to suddenly become stoic, passionless, and unemotional. Especially when verses like Psalm 16. “My heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices” exist. The pursuit of earthly pleasure is what needed to die, and the pursuit of eternal pleasure needed to come alive.
In 2012 I was leading a Worship with the Word worship set. We were singing through Psalm 16. When the prayer leader read and prayed through verses 9-11, I felt like I was ready to explode! I started singing the chorus over and over again, “at your right hand are pleasures evermore…” My heart was glad. I genuinely felt like my whole being was rejoicing, and I knew I dwelt eternally secure.
The existence of true joy in life is only present because of the work and wonder of Jesus, and I do not have access to true happiness in any capacity outside of Christ.
Is there a particularly meaningful portion of the song that really conveys the message you hope to get out?
This idea of being placed at God’s right hand signifies being in a place of favor. I don’t know about you, but the idea of a sinner being seated in the presence of THE KING in a place of favor is insane! I’m not worthy of the position. I’m not worthy of the favor. I’m not worthy of the honor. This is what make the work of Christ so magnificent. This is why we as believers need to fall flat on our face in reverence and worship to Jesus. He has made us worthy. He has made us righteous before a holy and just God.
“Thank You for redemption, and the power of Your blood. They make my heart glad!
I never have to worry. My souls secured by love. That makes my heart glad!
I never have to question the merit of Your love, and that makes my heart glad!”
True joy is found in the security of Christ’s work. The foundation on which we stand is unbreakable. It is literally impossible for anything or anyone to put our position in Christ in jeopardy. That includes our self. This should make all of hearts exceedingly glad.
That’s the “fun” theology on the song. The vulnerable side of the song is this. I struggle with going through life feeling worthy of Christ. I have the head knowledge of what has occurred, but my heart waivers constantly. This song is a “punch you in the face” reminder that I bring nothing to the table, and I don’t need to. He has completed the work, and that work will carry me to eternity in His presence. No matter the depth of my sin or how ugly I’m living my life, He is still all sufficient for me.
Lastly, in writing this song I wanted to convey the message that being truly joyful is more of an inward expression than an outward expression. The outward expression of joy is different for everyone. Not everyone is a crier. Not everyone is a hand raiser. Not everyone is an obnoxiously animated human like me. How we understand the work of Jesus will dictate the overflow and outward expression we make. There is no one way to do this. The goal for all of us is to find our way of expressing true joy, because in His presence there is fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures evermore.
Why does Waypoint sing this song?
Psalm 16, the song, mimics Psalm 16 from the Bible. What could be better than singing the word of God? Psalm 16 is an upbeat, joyful song that reminds us of deep spiritual truths about who God is and how He relates to us. We need to be reminded of this message constantly and let the truth of this song drown out the noise of lies that compete against it for attention. This song is an anthem of joy, deep joy that abides in the LORD regardless of the circumstances we face. One of our values as a church is Pursuing True Joy. Psalm 16 aids us in that pursuit as we reflect on the greatness of our God, the ultimate source of our joy. HE MAKES OUR HEARTS GLAD!
Psalm 16 (At Your Right Hand)
Words and Music: Ronald Metting
My heart is glad and my whole being rejoices
My flesh it also dwells secure
You've made known to me the path of life
In Your presence is fullness of joy
At Your right hand are pleasures evermore
Death is dead by the blood You poured
So at Your right hand are pleasure evermore
I've got joy
You are my joy
My debt was paid my punishment You bore
King of glory You ransomed my soul
You did not leave me in death to die
Just as You did from the tomb I came alive
Thank You for redemption
And the power of Your blood
They make my heart glad
I never have to worry
My souls secured by love
That makes my heart glad
Thank You for redemption
And the power of Your blood
They make my heart glad
I never have to question
The merit of Your love
And that makes my heart glad
I got joy
You're my joy