Night on a narrow ridge: the dark bulk of a cedar-roofed house with one small lit window, and a low dark tent near it, the upper half empty night sky.

Song of ascents

Psalm 132

A king swore he would not sleep until God had a home. God answered with an oath of His own.

18 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

1–41Book IDavid's prayers: 'The LORD is my shepherd'
42–72Book II'As the deer pants'; the throne under pressure
73–89Book IIIAsaph and Korah: the kingdom falls
90–106Book IVBack to Moses: the LORD reigns
107–150Book VSongs of ascents, and the last HallelujahPsalm 132

The LORD Has Chosen Zion

A song of ascents.

O LORD, remember on behalf of David

all the hardships he endured,

how he swore an oath to the LORD,

and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

David

A cedar-walled room at night: a low bed made and unused, a clay lamp burning, a window opening onto a dark ridge.

“I will not enter my house

or get into my bed,

I will not give sleep to my eyes

or slumber to my eyelids,

until I find a place for the LORD,

a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

A small walled hill town of stone and flat roofs among oak and pine woods west of Jerusalem in morning light, a man carrying cut wood up the path below.

We heard that the ark was in Ephrathah;

we found it in the fields of Jaar.

From far behind, Levites in white linen carry a chest under a plain blue cloth on long poles up a ridge road, with ram's horns and lyres, under an empty morning sky.

Let us go to His dwelling place;

let us worship at His footstool.

Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place,

You and the ark of Your strength.

May Your priests be clothed with righteousness,

and Your saints shout for joy.

For the sake of Your servant David,

do not reject Your anointed one.

0:19

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

God

A great empty throne of ivory overlaid with gold in a cedar hall: six broad steps lead up to it with a gold lion standing at either end of each step, twelve in all, and a lion standing beside each armrest; its back has a rounded top.

The LORD swore an oath to David,

a promise He will not revoke:

“One of your descendants

I will place on your throne.

If your sons keep My covenant

and the testimony I will teach them,

then their sons will also sit on your throne

forever and ever.”

Question

Quick question

Two oaths stand side by side in this psalm.

David swore to find the LORD a place. What did the LORD swear to David?

For the LORD has chosen Zion;

He has desired it for His home:

God

Morning view across a deep valley to a small walled ridge city, a long plain flat-roofed temple on its height, a thin thread of altar smoke rising.

“This is My resting place forever and ever;

here I will dwell, for I have desired this home.

God

Asked and answered

Whiteboard

David wanted a place for the LORD. The LORD answers every line, and goes further.

Pray

Pray it

Thank Him that His promises rest on His oath and not on your record. Then ask Him for what verse 15 gives: “I will satisfy her poor with bread.” Amen.

You’ve experienced

Psalm 132

0 of 150 psalms read

A verse to carry with you

This is My resting place forever and ever; here I will dwell, for I have desired this home.

Psalm 132:14

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