Psalms 132:9-18

9 Get your priests all dressed up in justice; prompt your worshipers to sing this prayer:
10 "Honor your servant David; don't disdain your anointed one."
11 God gave David his word, he won't back out on this promise: "One of your sons I will set on your throne;
12 If your sons stay true to my Covenant and learn to live the way I teach them, Their sons will continue the line - always a son to sit on your throne.
13 Yes - I, God, chose Zion, the place I wanted for my shrine;
14 This will always be my home; this is what I want, and I'm here for good.
15 I'll shower blessings on the pilgrims who come here, and give supper to those who arrive hungry;
16 I'll dress my priests in salvation clothes; the holy people will sing their hearts out!
17 Oh, I'll make the place radiant for David! I'll fill it with light for my anointed!
18 I'll dress his enemies in dirty rags, but I'll make his crown sparkle with splendor."

Psalms 132:9-18 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.

Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.