A Song of Ascents

This is considerably longer than the other songs of Ascents- NICOT, 933. “Its length seems to signal its special importance” McCann, 1210. This is a royal psalm along the line of Psalms 2, 45, 72, 89, 101 and it also stresses God’s choice of Zion like Psalms 46, 48, 76, 84, 87, 122. “Psalm 132 impressively articulates the theological rationale for making the pilgrimage- namely, Zion is God’s chosen place (vv. 13-14; see Pss. 122:1-2, 9; 125:1-2; 126:1; 128:5; 129:5; 133:3; 134:3), as well as the site of David’s throne” McCann, 1210.

132:1-5 David’s swore to build God’s house

132:1 Remember, O LORD on David’s behalf- The request is like Neh. 5:19; 13:14, 22, 31.

Remember is used in Ex. 2:23-25; 6:5; 32:13; Lev. 26:42; Deut. 9:27. In context of the royal psalms see Ps. 89:47, 50.

132:2 How he swore to the LORD- The word oath or vow is not found of David’s words in II Sam. 7 or I Chron. 17 but we do see his desire to build the Lord’s house.

132:3 Surely I will not enter My house- The quote of vs. 2 gives rise to the quotation in vs. 3-5.

Nor lie on my bed- “The subordination of personal life, and comforts (are sacrificed) to the great priority” Motyer, 575.

132:4 I will not give sleep to my eyes- Prov. 6:4 

Or slumber to my eyelids-

Nor lie on my bed- “The subordination of personal life, and comforts (are sacrificed) to the great priority” Motyer, 575.

132:5 Until I find a place for the LORD- Acts 7:46

132:6-9 The ark of the covenant

132:7 Let us go into His dwelling place- The verb go is the same as vs. 3 where David will not go into his tent. The word dwelling place in Ps. 74:7; 78:60; 84:1; 87:2. The same word is used in vs. 5. The statement of vs. 6 gives rise to the quotation of vs. 7-9. This call reminds us of Ps. 99:5, 9; 122:1.

132:10-12 The Lord’s oath to David

132:10 For the sake of David Your servant- I Kings 15:4-5 David is mentioned in the psalm in vs. 1, 10, 11, 17.

132:11 A truth from which He will not turn back- Acts 2:30 This word translated turn back is the same word translated turn away in vs. 10. 

132:13-18 The LORD’s choice of Zion

132:13 For the LORD has chosen Zion- Ps. 46:4; 48:1-2; 78:67-68, 70; 87; 122:6-9 “Implicit in the oath is the choice of Zion” Motyer, 576. “The human response was all too cynical, treating God’s choice as something to be exploited; a shelter against His judgment (Jer. 7, especially vs. 8-15) or an asset to be commercialized (Mt. 21:12f.)” Kidner, 451.