Psalms Reading – 5.3.2022
Psalm 132
A song of ascents.
1 Lord, remember David and all his self-denial.
2 He swore an oath to the Lord, he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
3 “I will not enter my house or go to my bed,
4 I will allow no sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids,
5 till I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
6 We heard it in Ephrathah, we came upon it in the fields of Jaar:
7 “Let us go to his dwelling place, let us worship at his footstool, saying,
8 ‘Arise, Lord, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might.
9 May your priests be clothed with your righteousness; may your faithful people sing for joy.’”
10 For the sake of your servant David, do not reject your anointed one.
11 The Lord swore an oath to David, a sure oath he will not revoke:
“One of your own descendants I will place on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them,
then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever.”
13 For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling, saying,
14 “This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it.
15 I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food.
16 I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.
17 “Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one.
18 I will clothe his enemies with shame, but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.”
Psalm 132 combines two themes: the promises made to David and Zion as the center of God’s kingdom. It has two sections: David made an oath that he would secure a home for the Lord, and the Lord made an oath that He would secure David’s dynasty. They were intended to both reign from Zion as one voice proclaiming the righteousness of God.
David had great passion for worshiping the Lord. He recognized he was living in a house, but God was still living in a tent. He wanted to rectify that. However, God said David’s son, Solomon, would be the one to build the temple.
When God spoke his promise to make David’s family the one from which all kings would come, eventually leading to Jesus, King of kings, David was overwhelmed with awe and praise as we find in,
2 Samuel 7:18-19, Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human!
We find whatever we would dare promise God, His promises for us are much greater and everlasting. We see that God desired His kingdom would be filled with salvation and joy. The king would reign in God’s light, and the poor would be blessed with abundant provision. At the center of God’s home, justice reigns. How people treat the poor is an indicator whether justice is being done.
Memory Verse: Psalm 133:1, How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
Question(s) to Consider: When have you been overcome with praise for the greater work that God has done? How are you participating in the work of God’s justice for the poor?