Psalm 132 is the longest of the “Songs of Ascents” (Psalms 120-134). As Jewish pilgrims ascended to Jerusalem to worship, they sang this song to memorialize King David (1, 10, 11, 17) & the temple as “a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob” (5). Despite the “hardships” David endured in bringing the ark & tabernacle to Jerusalem (1b), he determined to find a permanent place for Yahweh, where his people could come and worship (7). It would be Yahweh’s “resting place” for him and “the ark of [his] might” (8). (You can read about the move in 2 Samuel 6 & 1 Chronicles 13-16). Righteousness would characterize those who ministered in the tabernacle, and joy would characterize those who came to worship there (9). (I ask myself if those two traits characterize me, both a minister and a worshipper.) Verses 1-10 speak of David’s heart for God. Verses 11-18 speak of God’s heart for David, as he promised to set “one of the sons of your body … on your throne” (11). King David would not be the one to build God a house, but David’s son, Solomon, would. This psalm was likely composed for its dedication (2 Chron 6:41-42). The history of Israel’s kings sadly showed David’s sons did NOT keep Yahweh’s covenant (12a), but there would come one Son of David who would faithfully keep and fulfill the covenant and sit enthroned as God’s Anointed One forever. He would transform chosen Zion (13) into a New Jerusalem that would become God’s forever home, where He would dwell with his people as their temple (Revelation 21). There a banquet will take place with abundant provision of food (15). There her kingdom of priests will enjoy full & final salvation from the very presence of sin (16), and King Jesus will wear a shining diadem (18). Oh what a day that will be when there will be no more tears or mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore! No more corona viruses and no more injustice and national unrest! When King Jesus comes again, he will exercise perfect justice, and righteousness and peace will reign forevermore. Even so, come Lord Jesus!
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