Psalms 132
DOYLYVer. 3. — I will not come into &c.] This is not to be understood literally, but as a figurative expression of his passionate desire to do this work, which was so earnest that neither his house, nor bed, nor sleep, could give him any content till it was completed, or in some forwardness. Poole.
Psalms 132:5
- — a place for the Lord.] A convenient place for the ark of the Lord, 1 Chron. xv. 1, and xvi. 1—43. Bp. Patrick.
Psalms 132:6
- Lo, we heard of it &c.] In other words, as Bp. Patrick hath paraphrased this verse, “And now, behold, the Lord Himself, to our great joy, hath told us the very place where He will fix his habitation, (1 Chron. xvi. 18. 26,) in the territory of Beth-lehem Ephrata, (Gen. xxxv. 13. 19,) in the fields of that forest, where the angel stood, and directed David to build an altar to the Lord, 1 Chron. xvi. 18, and xxii. 1. Bp. Horne. Jerusalem being situated not far from Beth-lehem, might be comprehended in the region of Ephrata. Merrick.
Psalms 132:7
- — we will worship at his footstool.] The Lord’s footstool here mentioned was either the ark of the testimony itself, or the place at least where it stood, called the Holy of Holies, towards which the Jews in their temple used to worship. Jos. Mole.
Psalms 132:8
- And he shall redeem &c.] He will assuredly rescue them from those distresses and sufferings, which He hath inflicted on them, as a punishment for their iniquities. Travil.
The fourth verse of this Psalm should teach us, upon what ground every man is to build the persuasion of the pardon of his sins. It is the temper of most persons, to be more busy about their assurance, than their obedience; and to be confident of their reward, while they should be solicitous about their duty. But to discover whether such men’s confidence be sound and rational, or vain and fallacious, I should recommend them to this one criterion and mark of trial, namely, to reflect upon and consider what effects this persuasion of God’s mercy works upon their spirits. If men, from the persuasions of mercy, grow impudent and bold in sin, presume upon God’s patience, and venture far upon the stock of a supposed forgiveness, they must know that they are under the power of a destructive infatuation. Mercy was never intended to serve any man in his vice, to smooth him in his sin, and by abused hopes of pardon to strengthen the hands of his corruption. And therefore he that from God’s mercy gathers no argument for his fear, may conclude thus much, that there is indeed forgiveness with God, but no forgiveness for him. Dr. South.
Psalm CXXXI. This Psalm was probably intended as a form of humble devotion, to be used at seasons of religious humiliation.
Ver. 2. Surely I have behaved &c.] The meaning seems to be, I depend wholly upon God’s providence for the way and time of bringing me to the kingdom, as the poor helpless infant, when it is deprived of its natural and accustomed food, the mother’s milk, takes no care to provide for itself, but wholly relies upon its mother’s care for its support. Poole.
This Psalm expresses the sentiments which all the children of God ought to entertain: they are to be humble, not aiming at high things, but resembling
the religious care he had for the ark. 8 His prayer at the removing of the ark, 11 with a repetition of God’s promises.
¶ A Song of degrees. LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions: about 1004.
- Arise, O Lord, into thy rest;] Arise, O Lord, to take possession of thy resting-place. Green.