Psalms 132

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 132

1¶ A Song of degrees. LORD, remember David, [and] all his afflictions:

2How he sware unto the LORD, [and] vowed unto the mighty [God] of Jacob;

3Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;

4I will not give sleep to mine eyes, [or] slumber to mine eyelids,

5Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty [God] of Jacob.

6Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.

7We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.

8Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.

9Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.

10For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.

11¶ The LORD hath sworn [in] truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.

12If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.

13For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired [it] for his habitation.

14This [is] my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

15I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.

16I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

17There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.

18His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 132 recounts David's fervent vow to find a dwelling place for the Lord's Ark before seeking his own comfort. It then transitions to God's solemn oath to David, promising a perpetual lineage on the throne, conditional upon their obedience. The psalm concludes with God's declaration of Zion as His chosen and eternal habitation, where He will bless His people and establish David's dynasty.

Medium Summary

Psalm 132 begins by recalling David's profound commitment to the Lord, expressed in a vow to find a suitable dwelling for the Ark of God before attending to his own rest. The psalm then references the historical journey of the Ark, from Ephratah to the "fields of the wood," leading to a call for the Lord to enter His permanent rest with the Ark of His strength. A pivotal moment is the Lord's sworn covenant with David, promising that his descendants would perpetually occupy the throne, provided they uphold God's covenant and testimony. This divine promise is intrinsically linked to God's choice of Zion, which He desires as His eternal habitation. Consequently, God pledges to abundantly bless Zion's provisions, satisfy its poor, clothe its priests with salvation, and ensure the flourishing of David's royal line while shaming his adversaries.

Long Summary

Psalm 132 is a "Song of degrees" that opens with an earnest plea for the Lord to remember David and his profound dedication. It specifically highlights David's solemn vow to the mighty God of Jacob, promising not to enter his own house or find rest until he had secured a proper dwelling place for the Ark of the Lord. The psalm then alludes to the historical discovery and journey of the Ark, mentioning its finding at Ephratah and in the "fields of the wood," signifying the efforts to bring it to its rightful place. A communal prayer follows, inviting the Lord to "Arise" and enter His "rest" alongside the Ark of His strength, with a desire for priests to be clothed in righteousness and saints to rejoice. The psalm then shifts to God's own solemn oath to David, a truth from which He will not deviate: a descendant from David's own body will be set upon his throne. This divine promise is made conditional upon David's children keeping God's covenant and testimony, ensuring their perpetual reign. The Lord declares His specific choice of Zion, stating His desire for it to be His permanent habitation and rest forever. Consequently, God promises abundant blessings for Zion, including satisfying the poor with bread and clothing the priests with salvation, leading to the saints' joyous acclamations. Finally, God pledges to make the "horn of David to bud," signifying the strengthening of his royal power, and to ordain a "lamp" for His anointed. He concludes by promising to clothe David's enemies with shame while ensuring his crown flourishes.

Core Concepts

  • David's VowDavid swore an oath to the Lord, committing to find a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of God before he would seek personal comfort or rest. This highlights his deep devotion to establishing God's presence among His people.
  • The Ark's JourneyThe psalm references the historical process of locating and bringing the Ark, mentioning its discovery at Ephratah and in the "fields of the wood," symbolizing the efforts to establish a central place of worship.
  • God's Chosen Dwelling (Zion)The Lord explicitly declares Zion as His chosen and desired habitation, stating it will be His "rest for ever," signifying His permanent presence and blessing there.
  • Davidic CovenantGod makes a solemn oath to David, promising that a descendant from his body will sit on his throne perpetually, contingent upon his children's obedience to God's covenant. This establishes the enduring nature of David's royal line.
  • Blessings on ZionThe Lord promises abundant blessings upon Zion, including provision for the poor, salvation for the priests, and joy for the saints, all flowing from His chosen presence in that place.
  • Flourishing DynastyGod pledges to make the "horn of David to bud" and ordain a "lamp" for His anointed, ensuring the strength and continuity of David's royal line, while his enemies will be shamed.