Bible Commentaries
Psalms 132

Verses 1-18

Psalms 132

David, Zion’s King

Scripture v. 1-18:

Verses 1-5 Is a plea that Jehovah God may remember David and his people Israel, for his zeal in building an house for God, and have mercy on them in their affliction. His zeal was evident when he brought the Ark of God’s strength from Kirjath-Jearim to Zion, as a resting place, a place where God might meet His saints of Israel, 2 Chronicles 7:15-16; 1 Samuel 6:21; 2 Samuel 6:3-4.

Verses 1, 2 petition the Lord to remember David, "and all his afflictions;" How he sware unto the Lord, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob, Nehemiah 13:14. This is from Solomon’s prayer at the consecration of the temple, 2 Chronicles 6:42; 2 Chronicles 35:26; His father David had longed to have the ark of David in Zion, Jerusalem, his capital, yet he feared God’s wrath might not have yet passed away, 2 Samuel 6:7; 2 Samuel 6:9. When he had brought it up, he was then consumed with a desire to build a worthy house for the worship of his God; He vowed to the "mighty God of Jacob," to do so, Genesis 49:24; 2 Samuel 7:1-5.

Verses 3, 5 vowed to the Lord that he, David, would give himself no peaceful sleep of rest, even in his own home, until he had brought the ark of God to a place of habitation, for the mighty God of Jacob, in the city of peace. He resolved self-denial, with zeal for God, until the holy ark had been brought to Zion, the holy city, a noble resolve, Matthew 6:33; Matthew 16:24; 2 Kings 10:16; 1 Corinthians 7:29-30.

Verse 6 relates that "We heard of it (the holy ark) at Ephratah," or Bethlehem, the old name for this city where David lived, where Jesus was born; It is added "we found it in the fields of the wood," where it had almost been lost and forgotten, at Kirjath-jearim, (city of woods) on the border of Judah and Benjamin, where it was placed when brought back from the Philistines, as related of Ephratah (Bethlehem), Joshua 18:1; Ruth 1:2; 1 Samuel 17:12; Micah 5:2; See also 1 Samuel 7:1; 1 Chronicles 13:5.

Verse 8, 9 appeal for the Lord to arise, stand up and enter His place of rest, both He and the ark of His strength, above which the Shekinah glory power appeared, Numbers 10:35; 2 Chronicles 6:41; Psalms 68:5. ft is added, "Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints (the godly worshippers of Israel) shout for joy," Psalms 78:61; Numbers 10:35-36; To be "clothed with righteousness," means "with salvation," v. 16, justification from God, Isaiah 61:10; Psalms 24:5; Romans 13:14; Revelation 19:8.

Verse 10 pleads, "For thy servant David’s sake, turn not away the face of thine anointed," as Solomon prayed for David, his father, v. 1,17; 2 Chronicles 6:42; Psalms 84:9. Again, "for David’s sake," God spared Judah’s kings and reserved for them a kingdom; ft was also for His oath’s sake He did so, v. 11; 1 Kings 11:12-13; 1 Kings 15:4; 2 Kings 8:19; 1 Kings 8:24-26.

Verse 11 certifies that God "who can not lie," Romans 4:3-4; had sworn to David in truth, and "would not turn away," break His oath, that, "of the fruit of thy body (of David’s seed) will I set upon thy throne," a thing God (in Christ) will yet do, at His second advent, 2 Samuel 7:12; 1 Kings 8:25; 2 Chronicles 6:16; Luke 1:32-33; Luke 1:69; Acts 2:30-31; Acts 15:13-15.

Verse 12 further pledges that if David’s children should keep his covenant and testimony that He would teach them, their children should also sit upon His (Jesus’ throne) for ever more," Luke 22:29-32; Revelation 5:9-14. See also Exodus 20:6; Exodus 19:5; Isaiah 56:4; Deuteronomy 4:5; Psalms 91:14.

Verses 13, 14 declare that the Lord has, once for all, chosen Zion which He has desired for His habitation, 2 Samuel 5:7; Deuteronomy 12:5. It is inseparably associated with David’s throne, from which He imparts peace to His people Israel, Psalms 48:1-2.
Verse 14 verifies that He has desired, had chosen, it as His rest and dwelling place for ever, Psalms 68:16; 1 Kings 8:13; Matthew 23:21.

Verses 15, 16 recount His pledge to: a) bless her provision abundantly, Exodus 23:25; b) satisfy her poor with bread of plenty, Leviticus 25:5 - Proverbs 3:10; c) clothe her priests with salvation, the message of redemption. Job 29; Job 14; Isaiah 52:1; Psalms 149:4; and d) cause her saints (godly worshippers) to shout aloud with joy, Psalms 37:28; Psalms 149:9; Isaiah 61:10; Philippians 4:4.

Verse 17 prophesies and pledges that, "there" in Zion, God would cause the horn of David (his royal seed) to bud, to come to prominent dignity and eminence; The horn is a symbol of ruling strength, Ezekiel 29:21; Luke 1:69; Psalms 75:4. He added, "I have ordained a lamp or light for mine anointed, for David in Jerusalem, a symbol of Jesus Christ, the "true light" who has come, 1 Kings 11:36; 2 Kings 8:19; John 1:8-9; John 8:12.

Verse 18 concludes, "His enemies will I clothe with shame," with disappointment, in their glorying over his temporary downfall, 2 Samuel 12:30; Psalms 25:3; It is added, "But upon himself (David), v. 17, shall his crown flourish, like a growing vine in a well kept garden," Genesis 45:8, in contrast with the withering of the enemy’s, Psalms 89:39.