What does Psalm 118:16 mean?

The previous verse (Psalm 118:15) credited God with providing "valiant" power through His right hand. The word translated "valiantly" is hā'yil, used to describe heroic and mighty deeds, particularly as related to war (Judges 6:12; 1 Samuel 16:18; 2 Kings 5:1). Through God's power, He accomplishes tremendous things. Most translations speak of the Lord's right hand being exalted as a result. God's victory rightly becomes God's glory.

The ESV and some other versions imply that God's right hand "exalts," possibly suggesting that He uplift and supports. This is still consistent with the theme of Psalm 118 and this passage. God's power is what enables His people to succeed (Zechariah 4:6). This psalm may have been connected to Israel celebrating the restoration of Jerusalem and the temple (Ezra 2:1; 3:1–2, 8). Israel knew all along they could never have rebuilt Jerusalem's walls by themselves. They were too weak, and their enemies were too strong. Yet God gave them the resources and protection they needed.

Similarly, the disciples could not have preached in Jerusalem after Jesus' ascension to heaven without the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). Nor could they have led three thousand people from around the Mediterranean region to faith in Jesus without the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:41). Before ascending to heaven, Jesus had told His followers to remain in Jerusalem and wait until the Holy Spirit baptized them (Acts 1:4–5). Later, on the Day of Pentecost, "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:4). Empowered by the Spirit, they proclaimed Christ in various languages to the Jews who had come from far away to observe Passover (Acts 2:5).