FRAMEWORKS:
Psalm 132: The Temple founded in the mind of David
A
song of ascents.
[Preliminary
Comments: In this thirteenth not-so-short psalm of ascents,
the pilgrim is taken back to the days when David had wanted to
build a Temple I n Jerusalem, when the ark of the covenant had
been recovered from the fields and later taken into the city,
and reminded that they are there today because of God's covenant
with David. That is why there are here.]
v.1-5
Davis had wanted to provide a dwelling place for the Lord
v.1
Lord , remember David
and all his self-denial.
v.2
He
swore an oath to the Lord,
he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
v.3 ‘I
will not enter my house
or go to my bed,
v.4 I
will allow no sleep to my eyes
or slumber to my eyelids,
v.5 till
I find a place for the Lord,
a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.'
v.6
The ark had been left by the Philistines, without a home
v.6
We
heard it in Ephrathah,
we came upon it in the fields of Jaar:
v.7,8
It was the place of God-encounter [that should have a home]
v.7
‘Let
us go to his dwelling-place,
let us worship at his footstool, saying,
v.8 “Arise,
Lord , and come to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.
v.9
Righteousness and joy accompanied it back to Jerusalem
v.9
May
your priests be clothed with your righteousness;
may your faithful people sing for joy.”'
v.10-12
Today they trust of God's covenant with David
v.10
For
the sake of your servant David,
do not reject your anointed one.
v.11
The
Lord swore an oath to David,
a sure oath he will not revoke:
‘One of your own descendants
I will place on your throne.
v.12
If
your sons keep my covenant
and the statutes I teach them,
then their sons shall sit
on your throne for ever and ever.'
v.13,14
God had chosen Jerusalem and the Temple to meet with His people
v.13
For
the Lord has chosen Zion,
he has desired it for his dwelling, saying,
v.14
‘This
is my resting place for ever and ever;
here I will sit enthroned, for I have
desired it.
v.15-18
Thus He had blessed Jerusalem
v.15
I
will [i] bless
her with abundant provisions;
her poor I will [ii] satisfy
with food.
v.16 I
will [iii] clothe her priests
with salvation,
and her faithful people shall ever sing
for joy.
v.17
‘Here
I will [iv] make
a horn grow for David
and set up a lamp for my anointed one.
v.18 I
will [v] clothe his enemies
with shame,
but [vi] his
head shall be adorned with a radiant crown.'
[Additional
Comments: The presence of the Temple, the destination
of the pilgrim coming to Jerusalem, goes back to the heart of
King David to build a temple [although built by Solomon] and it
is a constant reminder of God's covenant with David, an ongoing
reassurance for the people of God.]
Continue
to Psa 133