For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage:  Psa 132:1-9

1 Lord, remember David
    and all his self-denial.

2 He swore an oath to the Lord,
    he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
3 ‘I will not enter my house
    or go to my bed,
4 I will allow no sleep to my eyes
    or slumber to my eyelids,
5 till I find a place for the Lord,
    a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.’

6 We heard it in Ephrathah,
    we came upon it in the fields of Jaar:
7 ‘Let us go to his dwelling-place,
    let us worship at his footstool, saying,
8 “Arise, Lord, and come to your resting place,
    you and the ark of your might.
9 May your priests be clothed with your righteousness;
    may your faithful people sing for joy.”’

A. Find Out

1. On whom does the psalmist now focus? v.1
2. What had he vowed? v.2-5
3. Where had they heard something? v.6
4. Which made them determined to do what? v.7
5. So what did they ask the Lord? v.8
6. And what for whom? v.9

B. Think:

1. What are the references to David about?
2. Read 2 Sam 6:2
3. Read 2 Chron 6:40-42

C. Comment:

                The pilgrims in this thirteenth ‘song of ascents’ remembers how the dwelling place of the Lord in Jerusalem had come to be established and for that purpose calls on the Lord to remember how it had happened and to remember His dealings with king David.(v.1)

                David had vowed to create a home for the Lord in Jerusalem (v.2), declaring he would not rest (v.3,4) until he had established a [lace for the Lord (v.5). Now the ark of the covenant had become the symbol of the resting place of the Lord on the earth and so we will assume that what follows, refers to David bringing the ark to Jerusalem (although Solomon used verses 7-9 as part of his prayer when it came to the time of dedicating the Temple ( 2 Chron 6:40-42).

                The record of this happening is found in 2 Sam 6 where the ark was situated at Baalah of Judah, otherwise known as Kiriath Jearim, otherwise known as Jaar (v.6). In the present they remember the ark being there and it being taken to Jerusalem where they now determine to go (v.7) to worship the Lord. They call upon the Lord to meet them there (v.8) at the ark. They realise that this is not done casually but a priesthood has been established by the Lord and sop they pray that this priesthood will be acting righteously (v.9a) in accordance with the Lord’s will, so that His people may come and rejoice (v.9b)

D. Application:

1. God is not approached casually.
2. We can approach Him freely because of the work of Jesus.

Passage: Psa 132:10-18

10 For the sake of your servant David,
    do not reject your anointed one.

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.
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.’

13 For the Lord has chosen Zion,
    he has desired it for his dwelling, saying,
14 ‘This is my resting place for ever and ever;
    here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it.
15 I will bless her with abundant provisions;
    her poor I will satisfy with food.
16 I will clothe her priests with salvation,
    and her faithful people shall ever sing for joy.

17 ‘Here I will make a horn grow for David
    and set up a lamp for my anointed one.
18 I will clothe his enemies with shame,
    but his head shall be adorned with a radiant crown.’

A. Find Out

1. To whom and what does the psalmist now return? v.10,11a
2. What were the terms of that? v.11b.12
3. What had the Lord done with Jerusalem? v.13,14
4. How did He say He would bless it? v.15,16
5. What would He do for David? v.17
6. With what outcome? v.18

B. Think:

1. How does the psalmist lean on the past?
2. How does he expect good from that?
3. How does that involve the Lord’s relationship with them?

C. Comment:

                The first and second halves of this thirteenth ‘song of ascents’ focus on David (v.10), and specifically the covenant that the Lord had made with David (v.11a) that the Lord would not revoke (It is interesting to note that again and again in the Old Testament, the Lord refers to this covenant and spares Israel on the basis of it).

                The covenant had been that the Lord would keep putting one of David’s descendants on the throne of Israel (v.11b) as long as they remained faithful to Him (v.12) keeping His laws. Looking back the psalmist (and the pilgrims) remembered that the Lord had chosen Jerusalem (v.13). Moses had spoken of this – Deut 12:5-14 – and so it had come about, a place where the Lord would settle and be known, a place where Israel could come and meet with Him, where He rules (v.14) and would be known.

                With that intention to settle there had also come His intention to bless those who resided there  with provision so there would be no poor people there (v.15) and both priests and people would rejoice at the wonder of His presence there (v.16).

                The reference to a horn for David (v.17) simply means an established kingship, a place where he would be seen to be God’s chosen one and enemies would be defeated (v.18) and he would be glorified.

D. Application:

1. Where the Lord’s presence is, there is blessing for His faithful ones.
2. Blessing is conditional upon faithfulness.