Psalms 132

Psalms 132:1-10

Some think this psalm was pruned by Solomon, at the dedication of the temple, ver. 8—10. being nearly the words with which he concludes his prayer, 2 Chron. vi. 41, 42. others that it was written by David, as his bringing up the ark from Kirjath-jearim, or when he had purposed to build the temple. We have here, 1. David’s piety, ver. 1—7. 2. God’s promise, ver. 11—18.

1. LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions: 2. How he swore unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob. 3. Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed: 4. I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eye-lids, 5. Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. 6. Lo, we heard of it * at Ephraith: I we found it in the fields of the wood. 7. We will go into his ta-

The psalm opens with a prayer to God. Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions; which may be the words of David himself, pleading God’s faithfulness, and looking for support under all his troubles; or of Solomon pleading the covenant established with his father, and his afflictions, his sufferings, or the tail and trouble be underwent in making preparations for the building of the temple; or his humility, which he so strongly expressed, 2 Sam. vii. 2, 18. It may refer also to the Messiah, as the church’s prayer, that God would remember the covenant of grace established with him, and accept his sufferings and humiliation in his people’s head.

1. The psalms’ recites David’s solemn vow; so earnestly bent was he on erecting a temple for the Lord, the mighty God of Jacob, whose protection he had so greatly experienced, that by an oath he bound his soul, either literally not to enter his house, or sleep on his bed, till he had fixed on the place where the temple of God should be erected; or figuratively, as others interpret it, that he should enjoy no peace and satisfaction in any of his worldly comforts, till this grand affair was determined. At Ephraith, or Shiloh, the tabernacle had been heard of, for there formerly it had been placed, but now it was found in the fields of the wood at Kirjath-jearim: or this may be applied to the Messiah, the true tabernacle of God with men, who should be born at Bethlehem Ephraith, and be found in the fields of the wood, in a low and abject condition, Mark. xvi. 5. and wherever he is found, all true believers will take up their word and say, We will go into his tabernacles, the places of public worship, where this incarnate Lord manifests his presence, grace, and love, towards his people: we will worship at his foothold, as humble supplicants and dutiful subjects.

2. 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. 12. If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony, that I shall teach them; their children also shall sit upon thy throne for evermore. 13. For the LORD hath chosen Zion: he hath desired it for his habitation. 14. * This is my refill for ever: here will I dwell, for I have desired it. 15. * I will abundantly bless her conviction: I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16. * I will also clothe her priest’s with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. 17. * There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a + lamp for mine anointed. 18. His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

Psalms 132:11-18

The great and precious promises here delivered, were not designed for the men of that generation only, but are equally applicable to us, with whom, in Christ, God’s covenant stands fast. We have,

1. The unchangeable oath of God, confirming to David the kingdom of Israel, and to his successors. Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne; not only Solomon, but that glorious succeeding the Lord Jesus, Acts xi. 30. whose kingdom should be an everlasting kingdom.

2. The condition on which David’s potency shall possess the throne of Israel is their fidelity: whilst they continue true to God’s law, he will show them the faithfulness of his promise, v. 12. This they soon violated, and consequently lost the earthly

capably thence; but he who fulfilled all righteousness, in behalf of his people, has secured for them the eternal kingdom, and his children, all believers, shall reign with him in glory everlasting.

3. God’s choice of Zion for his abode, v. 13, 14. There he fixed his residence in the temple, the figure of the gospel church, where he continues to dwell; and in every believer’s heart, in the most blessed sense, is this verified, This is my call for ever: here will I dwell, for I have defend it. Lord, in my heart thus take up thy bless abode!

The rich promises he makes to his Zion, [1]. Plenty shall bless the land; so abundant the provision, that even the poor shall eat and be satisfied, v. 15, but richer for the provision of his grace in his church, where all who hunger and thirst after righteousness may come and be filled, and the poorest and most miserable sinner shall not go empty away, but foul pardon, grace, and salvation, liberally provided for and bestowed upon him in Jesus Christ. [2]. He engages fully to answer the prayer which was made, v. 9, to clothe the priests with salvation, and to give joy to all his saints: and this he doth fall, when he tends forth into the ministry men fall of faith and of the Holy Ghost, by whose labours the knowledge of salvation is diffused, and the children of God, enlightened by their preaching, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and the glorious gospel of his grace. [3]. He promises to strengthen the house of David. There will I make the barn of David to bed; a facemile shall be given him, whose throne shall be greater than his father’s: I have reduced a lamp for mine anointed, that his light may never be extinguished, but his posterity continue. His enemies will I clothe with shame, their devices disappointed, and themselves vanquished: but upon himself shall his crown flourish: all which, in the most eminent sense, is true, and applicable to that Son of David, who should be the horn of salvation to his people, Luke i. 69, saving them with a mighty and everlasting salvation: a lamp ever burning, the light of the world, the sun of righteousness shining for ever and ever in the firmament of grace, according to God’s eternal purpose. All his enemies must sooner or later be clothed with shame; either the shame of penitents, returning to him in deep humiliation; or the shame of criminals, led forth to execution, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire: his crown must for ever flourish, he shall reign not only till all his enemies are fallen, but to the days of eternity; and what is our joy, he will make us kings with himself, and we shall reign with him in glory.