Psalms 132:2-12

2 He made a solemn promise to the LORD . He vowed to the Mighty One of Israel,
3 “I will not go home; I will not let myself rest.
4 I will not let my eyes sleep nor close my eyelids in slumber
5 until I find a place to build a house for the LORD, a sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel.”
6 We heard that the Ark was in Ephrathah; then we found it in the distant countryside of Jaar.
7 Let us go to the sanctuary of the LORD ; let us worship at the footstool of his throne.
8 Arise, O LORD, and enter your resting place, along with the Ark, the symbol of your power.
9 May your priests be clothed in godliness; may your loyal servants sing for joy.
10 For the sake of your servant David, do not reject the king you have anointed.
11 The LORD swore an oath to David with a promise he will never take back: “I will place one of your descendants on your throne.
12 If your descendants obey the terms of my covenant and the laws that I teach them, then your royal line will continue forever and ever.”

Psalms 132:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 132

\\<>\\. Some think this psalm was written by Solomon, since Ps 132:8,10, are much the same with which he concluded his prayer at the dedication of the temple, 2Ch 6:41,42; on account of which it is supposed to be written; though he might borrow these words from hence, as he sometimes did recite the words of his father, Pr 4:4,5. Others are of opinion that it was written by David, either when he brought the ark from Baale or Kirjathjearim to the house of Obededom, and from thence to Zion, 2Sa 6:1-23; or when he had that conversation with Nathan the prophet, in which he expressed such a strong desire to build a house for God, 2Sa 7:1-17; or, as Aben Ezra and Kimchi think, after he had numbered the people, which brought the pestilence on them; and when he and the elders of Israel were in distress on that account, and he was ordered to build an altar in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite, 1Ch 21:18; by which it appeared to him that this was the place for the house of the Lord God he had been so desirous of building, 1Ch 22:1. It seems by Ps 132:6,7, that more persons than one were concerned in this psalm, at least the psalmist represents more; and Theodoret takes it to be a prayer of the captives in Babylon, and a prophecy of the Saviour of the world; and this is favoured by the Syriac inscription, which is, ``an anonymous psalm, when they would build the house of the Lord of hosts; and a prayer of David, and a revelation of Christ.'' And certain it is that Christ is spoken of in it, if not principally designed.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Hebrew of Jacob; also in 132:5 . See note on 44:4 .
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