Now that we’ve examined the historical setting of Psalm 132 let’s unpack the richness of this psalm verse by verse.
Remember, O LORD, in David’s favor, all the hardships he endured, how he swore to the LORD and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob (1-2)
The sages of Israel observe that not many vows are mentioned in the Bible and with good reason. You should be very reluctant to vow to God because it is a matter He takes seriously. Be hesitant to make one, but once you have done so, they say, be eager and go to every length necessary (even if it costs your life) to fulfill your vow—the very thing David is willing to do.
“I will not enter my house or get into my bed, I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” (3-5)
An ancient Jewish commentary says the title Mighty One of Jacob is used here because it connects to the first vow in the Bible.
Jacob made it at Bethel when he dreamt of a staircase ascending and descending from heaven. There he made a vow to the LORD: If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God, and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.” (Gen 28:20-22)
Jacob is the first vow maker, and in Psalm 132, David references the Mighty God of Jacob, the One who received the first vow. Notice David’s passion for the things of God. He cannot be at peace or comfortable until he has made every effort to pursue God’s purposes in his life.
Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar. “Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!” Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your saints shout for joy. For the sake of your servant David, do not turn away the face of your anointed one. (6-10)
The text changes here from the first person to the third person plural as if a choir is singing amid a liturgical procession—perhaps on the occasion of King Solomon’s enthronement and placing the ark in the temple he constructed. The psalm functions as a reenactment of the original events, inviting worshippers to join in the liturgical procession of bringing the ark into the holy temple.
How King David acted on his vow is exemplary.
The prophet Nathan indicated that it was not God’s will that David build God a house but rather that his son would. In Psalm 131, David said, in effect, I don’t take on matters too great for me; I know the boundaries of my domain, what is my responsibility and what is not.
David does not react negatively to God’s message through the prophet, which he would have if he wanted the glory of building the house for the LORD. Instead, he humbly engages in every act of preparation necessary so that when Solomon is ready, the temple can be built according to God’s specifications.
David consecrated the site of the future temple, procured the means and materials for its construction, arranged for the future temple service, inspired and excited the people, and gave his son the model to build the temple. In so doing, he imposed on himself several hardships alluded to in Psalm 132:1.
Let’s pause here to reflect again on the beauty of reciprocity highlighted in this psalm. In verses 2-9, David makes a vow to God, and in verses 10-18, God makes a vow to David.
Here is what I mean. The temple and the ark within it served as the point of mediation between God and his people. The priests who served in that temple became the mouthpiece for the LORD. So God would anoint them by His Spirit, and they would prophetically speak on His behalf, giving His response to petitions that were made at the temple. I understand verses 10-18 as a Spirit-inspired prophecy given in response to the petition of the preceding verses.
The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: “One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne. If your sons keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall teach them, their sons also forever shall sit on your throne.” (11-12)
The LORD assures them he will not take back His promise. But notice carefully that His unconditional covenant has a conditional aspect. The unbroken lineage of David’s sons who sit on the throne will only happen if they are obedient. But as we know from history, they were not (even Solomon was not). That line was broken, but it was not severed because the unconditional part of God’s covenant with David is: “Your throne will endure forever.”
Human unfaithfulness does not annul God’s faithfulness.
Though we are fickle, He remains faithful. If Yahweh makes a vow (an oath, a pledge), you can hold Him to it; God always keeps His Word. What is our confidence that this is so? It is based entirely on His holy character. He is a God of grace (hesed), which means steadfast love and covenant faithfulness.
Some ten centuries later, a son of David was born who indeed established the Davidic throne. And what was his message? Filled with the Holy Spirit, he announced, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15). The one who called himself the Son of Man established, in the words of Daniel, a kingdom which will endure forever (Dan 2:44). And it endures to this day over 2000 years later!
For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place: This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. (13-14)
The confidence of the answer in verses 11 and 12 is based on verses 13 and 14. The Israelites did not set up a committee and say: “LORD, we think Zion should be your dwelling place because it is a lovely city, and the mountain view here in summertime is great.” By His mercy and grace, the Lord God Almighty chose Zion. That is why the throne will continue, why the line of David will reign. His promises are the foundation of our hope.
I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread. Her priests I will clothe with salvation, and her saints will shout for joy. There I will make a horn to sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed. (15-17)
The phrase I will bless takes us back to the Abrahamic promise, even back to the original blessing in the Garden of Eden. The presence of the Holy One amidst His people is the source of every blessing.
The word salvation parallels the word righteousness in verse 9 and continues to reveal the intent of His desire to dwell with.
The word “horn” is a symbol of strength and might, and it refers to the king. But more than that, ancient interpreters understood it as a reference to the Messiah. The 15th benediction of the Jewish prayer liturgy reads: “Make the branch of thy servant David to shoot forth speedily, and let his horn rise high by virtue of thy salvation.”
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Zechariah says: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (Luke 1:67-68). So that we will get the connection, Zechariah makes it for us: to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant (72).
His enemies I will clothe with shame, but on him his crown will shine! (Psalm 132:18)
