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132:title–18 The psalmist opens this royal psalm (about kingship) by begging Yahweh to remember David’s loyalty and his desire to build the temple (vv. 1–5). He then describes how the surrounding residents of Judah respond by coming to worship in Jerusalem (vv. 6–7). The psalmist addresses Yahweh directly as he requests that Yahweh inhabit the worship site because of His promise to David (vv. 8–10). He then recounts Yahweh’s promise to David (vv. 11–12) and proclaims that Yahweh has indeed chosen Jerusalem as His site of worship. He concludes by asserting that Yahweh will bless the city and David (or the Davidic king) while thwarting His enemies (vv. 13–18).
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Types of Psalms Table
132:title A song of ascents See note on 120:title.
132:1–5 After requesting that Yahweh remember David’s hardships and loyalty, the psalmist describes David’s desire to build the temple (see 2 Sam 7:1–3; 1 Chr 17:1–2). While Yahweh did not allow David to build the temple, David did move the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. |
132:1 O Yahweh, remember with regard to David The psalmist mentions David to persuade God to act again on behalf of Israel.
132:2 he swore to Yahweh A structural marker in this psalm; David swears an oath in Ps 132:2, and Yahweh swears an oath in v. 11.
Swear Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words
Vow, Oath DBI
132:5 a dwelling place Refers to the temple. See note on Psa 24:3.
the Mighty One of Jacob A name for God (see Gen 49:21) that emphasizes His saving actions on behalf of Israel in terms of warfare.
132:6–7 The residents of Judah express their desire to worship at God’s residence—the tabernacle, and later, the temple. |
132:6 Ephrathah This refers to the district of Judah where David was from (1 Sam 17:12). It contained several villages, including Bethlehem
and Kiriath-jearim (where the ark of the covenant was housed for a time; see 1 Sam 7:1–2).
Psalm 132:6 IVPBBCOT
Ephrathah ISBE
the fields of Jaar May refer to a forest, as the term ya'ar means “thicket” or “forest.” Alternatively, this phrase may be a modified version of the name Kiriath-jearim.
132:7 footstool The meaning of the Hebrew phrase used here, hadom regel, varies according to its context. Here, it probably refers to the ark of the covenant (Ps 132:8; 1 Chr 28:2). In other verses, it refers to the earth (Isa 66:1) or Zion (Lam 2:1).
Footstool HIBD
Psalm 132:7 IVPBBCOT
132:8–10 The psalmist implores Yahweh to inhabit the worship site (in Jerusalem) and remember the descendant of David who now rules. |
132:8 your mighty ark Refers to the ark of the covenant. See note on Exod 25:10.
Ark Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words
132:9 your priests The priests are distinguished by qualities such as moral purity, ethical integrity, and loyalty to both Yahweh and the nation of Israel. See note on Psa 4:1.
your faithful The Hebrew word used here, chasid, refers to people who are faithful or pious in a way that is similar to Yahweh’s chesed (His unfailing, covenantal love; see note on 25:10).
Saints HBD
Chesed Word Study
132:10 For the sake of your servant David The psalmist probably appeals to the Davidic covenant (2 Sam 7) and the hardships that David suffered (Ps 132:1). See note on vv. title–18.
of your anointed one Refers to the chosen ruler presently on the throne. The psalmist asks Yahweh to help the Davidic heir.
Anoint Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words
Anointing ZDBT
132:11–12 Psalm 132 focuses on Yahweh’s promise to David (see 2 Sam 7). Yahweh promises to keep subsequent descendants of David in dynastic power as long as they remain faithful in keeping His covenant. |
132:11 Yahweh swore in truth to David Parallels the oath depicted in Ps 132:2 and recounts the Davidic covenant described in 2 Sam 7.
the fruit of your body I will set In 2 Sam 7:12–16, Yahweh promises that a physical descendant of David will remain on Israel’s throne.
132:12 If your sons will heed my covenant The Davidic covenant was conditional; it required that David’s descendants continue to show loyalty to Yahweh. If they failed to do so, God would remove the Davidic dynasty from power (compare 2 Sam 7:14).
Davidic Covenant AYBD
132:13–18 The psalmist concludes by emphasizing that Yahweh has chosen Jerusalem as His worship site and that He will bless the city—and by extension all of Israel—and keep his promise to David. |
132:13 Yahweh has chosen Zion Texts such as Deut 12:5 and Deut 11 indicate that Yahweh would choose a central worship site in the future. In 2 Sam 6:12, David moved the ark to Jerusalem, establishing it as the city where central worship would take place. Second Samuel 7:13 and 1 Kgs 6:12–13 locate Yahweh’s choice of a dwelling place on Mount Zion where Solomon’s temple was built.
132:14 This is my resting place forever Indicates that God is not going to move His dwelling place to another location.
132:15 I will satisfy its poor with bread The ability to feed the impoverished comes from the abundance that God provides.
132:17 a horn A symbol of strength and help. God promises to help the Davidic dynasty that will come from Mount Zion. The help is probably God Himself since it originates in Zion—the dwelling place of God.
Horn Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words
a lamp for my anointed one Mirrors the sacred light in the tent of meeting of the tabernacle (Lev 24:1–4), which was to be a perpetual signal of Yahweh’s presence. The symbolism here is probably related to Yahweh’s perpetual commitment to His promise to David.
Lamp, Lampstand DBI
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