1 Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions:
2 How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;
3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;
4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids,
5 Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
6 Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.
7 We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.
8 Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
10 For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.
11 The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.
13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
18 His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.
Psalm 132, a song of ascents, is a profound and spiritually rich Psalm that centers around the theme of God's covenant with David and the divine promises attached to it. This Psalm is part of the series of fifteen Psalms (120-134) referred to as the "Songs of Ascents" or "Pilgrim Songs", which the Israelites sang as they journeyed to Jerusalem for the three main annual Jewish festivals. Psalm 132 is a petition to God to remember David's hardships and devotion, and it also serves as a reminder of God's promises to David and his descendants. It is a prayer for God's blessings on Zion and a prophecy about the Messiah, who would come from the lineage of David.
The Psalm begins with a plea to the Lord to remember David and all his afflictions. The Psalmist recalls David's oath to find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob. This is a reference to David's deep desire to build a temple for God, a place of worship and reverence, which is documented in 2 Samuel 7. Although David was not permitted to build the temple due to his involvement in many wars, his son Solomon fulfilled this desire. The Psalmist's plea is not just a reminder of David's hardships but also a testament to his unwavering commitment to honor God.
David's devotion to God is a recurring theme in this Psalm. The Psalmist emphasizes David's vow to God, his determination not to enter his house or get into his bed, not to give sleep to his eyes or slumber to his eyelids, until he finds a place for the Lord. This reflects David's selfless dedication and prioritization of God's glory over his comfort. It is a picture of a man who is willing to endure personal discomfort to ensure that God is honored and revered.
The Psalmist goes on to remind God of His covenant with David. This covenant, often referred to as the Davidic Covenant, is a promise God made to David, ensuring that his descendants would sit on the throne of Israel forever. This covenant is recorded in 2 Samuel 7:12-16, where God promises David, "I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." The Psalmist's mention of this covenant is a plea to God to fulfill His promises.
The second half of the Psalm shifts from a plea to God to remember David's devotion to a plea for blessing and prosperity for Zion (Jerusalem). The Psalmist prays that God would dwell in Zion, bless her provisions, and satisfy her poor with bread. He also prays for the priests to be clothed with salvation and for the saints to shout for joy. This part of the Psalm is a prayer for God's presence, provision, and protection. It is a plea for God's blessing upon the city and its inhabitants. The Psalmist recognizes that the presence of God is the source of true prosperity and blessing.
The Psalm concludes with God's response to these pleas, reaffirming His covenant with David. God promises to make the horn of David to bud or flourish, a metaphor for the power and strength of David's lineage. He also promises to set up a lamp for His anointed, a symbol of guidance and illumination. God assures that His anointed will be clothed with salvation and that His enemies will be clothed with shame. The Psalm ends with a promise of perpetual blessings upon David's lineage and upon Zion.
Psalm 132 is also significant for its Messianic prophecy. When God promises to establish David's throne forever, it is a prophecy about the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would come from the lineage of David. This is confirmed in the New Testament, where Jesus is often referred to as the "Son of David". The promise of a future Messiah who would rule forever was a source of hope and consolation for the Israelites. It is also a source of hope for Christians, who believe in Jesus as the fulfillment of this prophecy.
In conclusion, Psalm 132 is a profound and rich Psalm that explores themes of devotion, covenant, blessing, and Messianic prophecy. It is a testament to David's unwavering devotion to God, a reminder of God's covenant with David, a plea for God's blessing upon Zion, and a prophecy about the coming Messiah. It serves as a reminder of the importance of honoring God and trusting in His promises. For Christians, it reaffirms the belief in Jesus as the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant and the source of eternal salvation.
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