Stephen Sees Jesus Standing

Luke tells us that Stephen, while being stoned, stared into heaven and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55). I thought of this verse when reading Psalm 109 today.

People frequently mention as noteworthy that Stephen saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and the commentaries always make note of how Stephen’s vision recalls Psalm 110:1:

The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”

Psalm 110:1 definitely strikes “the Lord at the right hand” cord of Acts 7:55.

But the preceding verse, Psalm 109:31, seems even more relevant:

For he [the LORD] stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.

Three connections between Psalm 109:31 and Acts 7:55:

1. the LORD is standing
2. to help someone in need
3. because he is being condemned to death.
   

Maybe Luke has in mind a composite picture shaped by both Psalm 109:31 and Psalm 110:1.