This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. Psalm 132:4
Arise Into Thy Rest
Psalm 132, the 13th song of ascent, is a messianic psalm (see Acts 2:30) rejoices in the Lord’s choice of David and God’s promises to him. It is a prayer to be used in public worship. It recalls the joy that marked the day David brought the ark to Jerusalem and celebrates not only God’s presence, but His promise that the Messiah will come from David’s line. Like Ps. 89, the psalm reflects God’s covenant with David (2 Sam 7), in which He promised David a royal house – a promise that would be fulfilled in the coming of the great Savior King.
132:1 If this psalm was written during the postexilic period, the words remember David have a significant meaning. During the years between the return of the people to Jerusalem and the birth of Jesus, there would have been a growing desire on the part of godly people for the Lord to restore David’s kingdom in fulfillment of the Lord’s promise.
1 A Song of Ascents. Lord, remember David And all his afflictions;
132:2 The Mighty One of Jacob is a rare designation for God. Identical or similar expressions are found elsewhere in the Bible only in Gen. 49:24 and the Book of Isaiah. A place: The poet recalls David’s desire to build a temple for the Lord (2 Sam. 7:1, 2).
2 How he swore to the Lord, And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:
132:11, 12 The words the Lord has sworn are a poetic recasting of the central words of the Davidic covenant in 2 Sam. 7:8-16 (see also 89:3, 4, 26-29). The ultimate fulfillment of these words is in Jesus Christ, the Son of David (Luke 1:32, 33; Acts 2:30). Your sons: The promise of David was specific in terms of God’s intended blessings on faithful sons, His chastening of wayward sons, and His ultimate fulfillment in the anticipated coming Son.
11 The Lord has sworn in truth to David; He will not turn from it: “I will set upon your throne the fruit of your body. 12 If your sons will keep My covenant And My testimony which I shall teach them, Their sons also shall sit upon your throne forevermore.”
132:13 God’s choice of the Davidic line was also a choice of Zion as His dwelling place.
13 For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place:
132:17 This verse celebates God’s covenant to send His Anointed One (v. 10). The words horn and lamp speak of the Messiah’s authority and righteousness (Is. 11:1-5). His crown: The Messiah’s kingdom will be established forever (Is. 9:7); His enemies will not withstand Him (Ps. 2).
17 There I will make the horn of David grow; I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed.
** When you love someone, it’s not enough to visit. You don’t want to take part of each other at the end of the day. So, a marriage vow is made and you look for a place to live together. David had such a desire for God. And, before him, God had such a desire for us, His prize creation. When David drew close to God, God drew Himself close to David and his people and made a vow agreeing to move in with them, us.
132 1 A Song of Ascents. Lord, remember David And all his afflictions; 2 How he swore to the Lord, And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: 3 “Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house, Or go up to the comfort of my bed; 4 I will not give sleep to my eyes Or slumber to my eyelids, 5 Until I find a place for the Lord, A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” 6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; We found it in the fields of the woods. 7 Let us go into His tabernacle; Let us worship at His footstool. 8 Arise, O Lord, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. 9 Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, And let Your saints shout for joy. 10 For Your servant David’s sake, Do not turn away the face of Your Anointed. 11 The Lord has sworn in truth to David; He will not turn from it: “I will set upon your throne the fruit of your body. 12 If your sons will keep My covenant And My testimony which I shall teach them, Their sons also shall sit upon your throne forevermore.” 13 For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: 14 “This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. 15 I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation, And her saints shall shout aloud for joy. 17 There I will make the horn of David grow; I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed. 18 His enemies I will clothe with shame, But upon Himself His crown shall flourish.”
