Psalms 132

A Song of Degrees. (See cxx.) This Psalm seems to have been composed by some holy man; after God had given commandment to David, by Gad the seer, to build an altar in the thrashing-floor of Araunahthe Jebusite (where the destroying angel stood); and the Lord had answered him by fire upon that altar, -(1 Chron. xxi. 18. 2G.) whereby David knew, what he had till now been ignorant of, that this was the place where God would be worshipped, and have his temple - built, (xxii. 1.) Accordingly we read expressly, that Solomon therefore built the temple in this place; because God here appeared to David his father, and David designed and prepared, this place for it: (2 Chron. iii. 1.) that there God’s habitation might be fixed; and not removed from place to place, uncertainly, as it had been in former times. For the tabernacle, which the Hebrews, call Mischkan, had been in an unsettled condition, except one period of time, ever since they came into the land of Canaan. It was first pitched in Gilgal, and stayed there twentyfour years. Then it was removed to Shiloh, where it remained to the death of Eli, three hundred and sixty- 2G2 nine years. After his death, Shiloh being laid waste, it vras translated to Nob, where it remained, they say, thirteen years: (but was how no better than a cabinet without its jewel; the ark being in Another place, and never restored to it after that desolation of Shiloh; see Psal. lxviii.) After the death of Samuel; they say, Nob was also destroyed: and then it was carried to Gibeon, where Solomon found it, and from thence fetched it, when he had finished the temple. Which the Hebrews therefore call * Beth-Olamim, the eternal house; because it was fixedtoaplacc, and out of it the ark never departed, as it had done out of the tabernacle: but there (as the Psalmist here speaks, ver. 34.) the Lord took up his rest for ever: never to depart, that is, to any other place, till the Messiah came; who. was the temple of God, “in whom the fulness of the Godhead dwelt bodily.” There are those that think Solomon penned this Psalm; because (in 2 Chron. vi. the two last verses) he concludes his prayer at the consecration of the temple with some part of it, viz. ver. 8 — 10. And truly, since he speaks as if the priests were just taking up the ark to carry it into this resting-place, and there begs that God would not, for David’s sake, turn away the face of his anointed (t. e. refuse to hear his prayer), it is not an improbable conjecture; which I shal follow in my Paraphrase, and connect also this Psalm with the former; to which it seems to have respect: if we render the last word.of the first verse, as the ancient interpreters do; riot affliction, but humility, meekness, ox modesty. Yet I have not forgo.t to take notice of the other signification: and," in like manner, have expounded that phrase, the mighty God of Jacob, two several ways, (ver. 2. 5.) Vcr. 16. I will also clothe her priests ivith salvation; and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.’] I will alsfc defend her priests, and they shall be giving continual thanks and praise for the blessings they shall procure for my pious worshippers: who shall exceedingly triumph in my kindness towards them. •,’-• > •? When there was no other strife among all the tribes of Israel, than who should be most forward in returning their allegiance; and the children of Jud ah also were inclined as one man to bring back David to his kingdom, from which his son Absalom had driven him,(2Sam. xix. 9. 14.) he fell into a rapturous admiration of that happy unity and concord which made them meet together in one place to worship God (for so, I think, Zanchius rightly understands the last word of the first verse,, which we translate together in unity, to relate to the -public assemblies): which unity he commended to them afterward in this Psalm, as their best preservative and security in future ages. This seems to me more probable to be the occasion of it than the concurrence of all the tribes to make him king after Saul’s death (which is the common account that is given of it), for then Zion was not in his possession: and it is not likely he would then have made such mention of it as he doth here, while it remained in the hands of the Jebusites. But whatsoever was the first occasion, it was aptly applied to their condition after the return of their captivity from Babylon; when, as Theodoret notes, the tribes which had been divided by the imprudence of Behobbam, were then again united; living under one and the same government, and worshipping God in the same place and the same manner as the law prescribed. It was as fitly used by the first Christians, to express their joy for the blessed union of Jews and gentiles “> and may now serve the uses of all Christian societies, whose happiness lies in holy peace and concord. *

Psalms 132:1

JLjORD, remember David, and all his afflictions. Let it appear, O Lord, that thou art not unmindful of the pious humility of my father David, (exxxi. 1.) who chose to endure many afflictions, rather than by unlawful means to prefer himself to a kingdom. JlSeHOLD, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!] O consider, how beneficial and delightful it is, beyond all expression, for those that come from the same stock, and are of the same religion, to have no differences one with another; but to live and worship God together; in such a friendly agreement, as if they had but one soul among them all.

Psalms 132:2

How he sivare vnto the Lord, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob. Which when he enjoyed, his principal care was to provide *a settled place for the worship of God: for he bound himself with a solemn oath unto the Lord,- and vowed unto the mighty One, who had preserved him, as he did Jacob, in all his troubles: Ver.. 3. Surely I ivill not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed.] Saying, I am resolved, as I hope-to prosper, that I w T ill not come into the new palace, which I have built for myself, (1 Chron. xiv. 1.) much less go to dwell and take up my lodging there; It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard; (hat went down to the skirts of his garment.] I cannot resemble it to any thing better thanto that excellent ointment compounded of several spices, (Exod. xxx. 21, &c.) which consecrated the high-priest to the Divine service, (Lev. viii. 12.) and was pourdd in such plenty, that, running over. all his face, even to the collar of his garment (where he did bear the names of all the tribes of Israel), it perfumed all the place with its fragrant odour: for just so doth this holy concord make you both dear to God, and procure you an excellent fame among men; who cannot but be pleased to see such variety of humours and inclinations all conspiring with one accord to promote the common good of the whold society.

Psalms 132:3

As the dew ofHermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore,. The dew of heaven is not more necessary for the parched mountains, which, though never so distant one from another (as faf’as from Hcrraoo to Zion), arc refreshed with it, than this* is for men of all ranks and conditions, who every where perceive the comfortable fruits of it; for to this the Divine favour is immutably,annexed, which will pour upon such societies innumerable blessings; giving them a happy and long life (an earnest of endless felicity), in a constant enjoyment of all manner of good things.

Psalms 132:4

1 will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids. Nay, I will not lay myself down to rest, nor take a wink of sleep; <

Psalms 132:5

Until I find out a place for the Lord, a habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. Until I have found out a convenient place for the ark of the Lord, (1 Chron. xv. 1. xvi. 1. 43.) a habitation for that mighty One; who there makes himself present to his people, the posterity of Jacob.

Psalms 132:6

Lo, ive heard of it at Ephratah; we found it in the fields of the wood. And now, behold, the Lord himself, to our grSat joy, hath told us the very place where he will fix his habitation, (1 Chron. xxi. 18. 26.) in the territory of Bcth-hclcm-Ephratah; (Gen. xxxv. 16. 19.) in tho fields of that forest, where the angel stood, and directed David to build an altar unto the Lord, (1 Chron. xxi. 18. xxii. 1.)

Psalms 132:7

We, will go into his tabernacles; tee will worship at his footstool. Let us go therefore into his tabernacles; and prostrating ourselves before his majesty, let us take up the ark on which his glory stands, (1 Chron. xxviii. 2.) with humble reverence, and bring it into the temple which is now’ built for it, (2 Chron. v. 2 — 4, &c.).

Psalms 132:8

Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength. And be pleased, O Lord, together with the ark, the token of thy powerful presence among us, to translate thy Divine glory thither: (2Chron. v. 13, 14. vii; 1 — 3.) there to settle itself, and stir from thence no more for ever.

Psalms 132:9

Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy. Guard also thy priests, who minister unto thee here, and encompass them with thy good* ness: (2 Chron. vi. 41.) that /they may procure thy blessings for others; and make all thy pious worshippers, who are dear unto thee, triumph in thy kindness to them.

Psalms 132:10

For thy servant David’s sake turn not away the face of thine anointed. I beseech thee, have a respect to the sincere piety of my father David, and thy gracious Proverbs 1 misc to him;’(l Chron. xxii. 2. 10. 14; xxviii. 2. 6, &c.)and upon that account deny me not; but grant the petitions of thy servant, who, by thy special appointment, succeeds him in the government of thy people.

Psalms 132:11

The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David, he will not turn from it, Of the fruit of thy body will I set vpon thy throne. According to that oath, whereby the Lord secured the kingdom to his family; that faithful oath, which he mil never break, saying; One of thy sons will I advance to sit"upon thy throne, when thou shalt leave it, (1 Chron. xvii. 11. xxviii. 5. 2 Chron. vi. 10.)

Psalms 132:12

If thy children will keep my covenant, and my testimony that I shall teach them; their children also shalt sit upon thy throne for evermore. Yea, I will perpetuate this royal dignity to thy children in allfcucceeding generations, (and not take it from them, as I did. from Saul, 2 Sam. vii. 15, 16.) if they prove faithful and constant in their religion; and observe all the commandments, whereby I will teach and instruct them how my pleasure is, that they should worship and serve me, (1 Kings ii. 4. ix. 4. 6.)

Psalms 132:13

For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. For the Lord hath such a love to Zion, the scat of the royal family, (2 Sam. v. 7. 9.) that he hath chosen to place his own dwelling very near unto it, (2 Chron. iii. 1. vii. 12.)

Psalms 132:14

This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. Saying, This is the place where my glory shall fix itself for ever, (2 Chron. vii. 16.) I will remove no more; but here will I take up my abode: for I have pitched on this place, and declared that it is acceptable to rac, above all other, (1 Chron. xxi. 26. xxii. 2.)

Psalms 132:15

I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. From whence J will dispense my blessings so abundantly, that Zion (which is become the city of God as well as of David) shall never be in any want: but I will make such liberal provision for it by fruitful years, that the poorest person there shall be satisfied with food, (2 Chron. vii. 13, 14.) "

Psalms 132:17

There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. There will I make the regal poweT and majesty of David to put forth itself afresh in his royal successors; no sooner shall one be extinguished but another shall shine, (1 Kings xi. 36. 2Chron. xxL 7.) in such splendour as shall give a lustre to the name of that anointed servant of mine; till the great prince, the Messiah, appear. Vcr. 18. His enemies will I clothe tvith shame; but upon himself shall his crown flourish.] And whosoever they be that go about to destroy this succession, they shall be so miserably defeated that they shall not be able to shew their faces; while, with shame’ and confusion, they behold the regal dignity in his family (notwithstanding all their attempts against it) in an unfading glory. PSALM CXXXI1L A Song of Degrees. (See cxx.)