What does Acts 2:25 mean?

Peter is explaining to a crowd how the murder of Jesus was unjustified, that Jesus rose again, and that He is the Messiah God promised. Peter starts with a prophecy from David that David's "Lord" would not remain dead.

Acts 2:25–28 quotes David's words in Psalm 16:8–11. The wording is subtly different from how any particular English translation might render those words in its rendering of the Old Testament. As with most Old Testament quotes in the New Testament, the reference words are from the Septuagint: the Greek translation of the Hebrew/Aramaic Scriptures. There is no change in meaning, however.

Psalm 16:8–11, and therefore Acts 2:25–28, is in the form of a literary device called a chiasm. The ideas in the verses are mirrored throughout the passage. The idea of Acts 2:25–26, that the presence of God brings joy, is repeated in Acts 2:28. The comment about the psalmist's flesh dwelling in hope (Acts 2:26) is fulfilled in Acts 2:28 when he is shown the paths of life. Acts 2:27 is the core of the passage as all our hope and joy is centered around Jesus' resurrection.

In Psalm 16:8, David claims his Lord is with him and leading him; David places the Lord before himself. He chooses to follow his Lord. Having the Lord with him provides security—he will "not be shaken"—as well as joy (Psalm 16:11; Acts 2:28).

One's "right hand" is a metaphor for power and authority. To David, his Lord is the source of his power and authority. That power and authority will stand just as God's promise that David will have an eternal heir on his throne will stand (2 Samuel 7:12–13). David couldn't have had such assurance if he thought his Lord would die and not be resurrected (Acts 2:30–31).