Psalms 132

Psalms 132:1-18

the Lord’ s Blessing upon Zion Psalms 132:1-18 This psalm evidently dates from the dedication of Solomon’ s temple. In the glory of completion God never forgets the toils and anxieties of the builders. When the topstone flashes in the sunlight, the trench-diggers, and foundation-makers come in for their need of praise. The singer recapitulates two memorable scenes in the history of the Ark: Ephratah is probably Shiloh, in the tribe of Ephraim, where the Tabernacle was situated in Eli’ s time; while the field of the wood is Kirjath-jearim, whence David brought the sacred emblem to Jerusalem, 1 Chronicles 13:5. The prayer of Psa 132:8-10 is similar to that of Solomon, 2 Chronicles 6:41. For us the ark of God’ s strength is our Lord’ s nature, in which God and man meet. We are called to be priests, to lift our hands in intercession and to fill the earth with praise. Then in Psalms 132:11-18 God seems to take the clauses of that prayer, one by one and to answer, them. His resting-place is in His people. The staves were drawn out from the Ark when it was deposited in the Temple. In Christ there is finality; He is Omega, the Last.

Lord, remember David! This Psalm is evidently intended as a dedication song composed for the completed temple. The earlier verses tell of David’s purpose (Psalms 132:1-7); then follows an earnest prayer (Psalms 132:8-10); and at the conclusion we have the Divine response (Psalms 132:11-18).

Psalms 132:1. Lord, remember David When any design approaches completion, we should not forget those who were concerned in its first conception or gathered the materials. God never forgets them; and we should not (1 Corinthians 3:8). The names of the Apostles are not omitted from the stones (Revelation 21:14). Psalms 132:2. How he sware unto the Lord David" s anxiety is recorded in 2 Samuel 7:1-2.

Psalms 132:3. Surely I will not come into my house We ought always to put the interests of God’s house before our own. That was a grand character that Naomi gave of Boaz (Rth 3:18).

Psalms 132:5. A Tabernacle for the Mighty One of Jacob (R.V.) How wonderful that God is known as the Mighty One of Jacob! But surely no man stood in greater need of a mighty God than Jacob.

Psalms 132:6. Ephratah perhaps stands for Ephraim and refers to the residence of the Ark in Shiloh.

The fields of the wood is Kirjath-jearim where in darkness and solitude the Ark was deposited after its return from the land of the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:1; 2 Samuel 6:3-4).

Psalms 132:8-9. Arise, O Lord, into thy rest! These verses are taken almost literally from Solomon’s dedication prayer (2 Chronicles 6:41; see also Numbers 10:35). The Ark was an image and pledge of God’s presence with his people. The staves of the Ark were drawn out when it was deposited in the most Holy Place to indicate that its journeyings were complete (2 Chronicles 5:9). Oh, weary, tired builders, think of the strength of the true Ark of the Covenant, which is Jesus Christ! In Jesus, ascended and glorified, God rests.

Psalms 132:9. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness Every believer is a priest and should wear this robe of righteousness (Revelation 3:4-5; Revelation 3:18; Ecclesiastes 9:8). Every saint is more than a conqueror and should shout for joy (Romans 8:37; Philippians 4:4).

Psalms 132:10. For thy servant David’s sake This reminds us of 1 Kings 8:25. God’s anointed king asks that he may be remembered.

Psalms 132:13-14. This is My rest These verses are the Divine answer to the petition of Psa 132:8. Her saints shall shout The answer to Psalms 132:9.

Psalms 132:17. I will make the horn of David to bud This is the vindication of the promise quoted in Psalms 132:11. God never forgot his pristine promise to David. He speaks of it centuries afterwards (Isaiah 55:3). Its partial realization was in the maintenance of a line of kings on the throne of Judah (1 Psa 132:1-18 : Kings 11:36). But its full accomplishment is in our Lord, that lamp of God’s grace shining in a dark world (John 8:12; see also Ezekiel 29:21).