Psalm 132
Psalm 132 was probably written by Solomon at the occasion of the dedication of the temple. Ps 132:8-10 is almost verbatim of 2 Chr 6:41-42. It is reminding the people of the purpose of the temple and reminding God of his promises. It is also a song of Ascent that the people would have sung as they there going up to worship at the Temple. It is an appropriate song to sing as you approach this very temple. It is also an appropriate song for us as we are seeking to build God’s house in Indianapolis. Matthew Henry provides a nice overview of the Psalm. He says “In singing this psalm, we must have a concern for the gospel church as the temple of God, and a dependence upon Christ as David our King, in whom the mercies of God are sure mercies.”
An Eye to the Future, a Sense of Urgency, and Ultimate Submission
Solomon, in seeking to build God’s house, comes submissively to the Lord, yet with a sense of urgency. He prays in verse 1, "Lord, remember David and all his afflictions." It is an argument with God that God would bless David’s descendants for David’s sake. God often blesses generationally. God never forgets the sufferings of his people. David was urgent in his desire to build a habitation for the Lord (verses 2-5). He would not wait another day before he found a location for the Lord’s house. It was more important than his food or sleep. David had opportunity to do this before and perhaps it was on his mind for a while, but it was at this time that God laid it on his heart with urgency. When God lays some good thing on our hearts, we are not to delay carrying it out.
However, David was not ultimately allowed to build the house, although he was permitted to find the location. This must have been a disappointment to him. But we must remember that even in our determination to do good we must submit to the will of God.
The Privilege of Worship
The symbol of God’s presence was not always in the tabernacle. The ark had been stolen by the Philistines and on its return was in obscurity for decades. Its absence was felt: "Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we have not inquired at it since the days of Saul," (1 Chr 13:3). Worship is nothing without the presence of God and at this time the symbol of his presence was missing. But, as verse 6 in our passage tells us, David heard a rumor of the ark when he was at Ephrathah (Bethlehem) as a shepherd. This is a wonderful rumor that God would be present with man. David evidently searched out the ark of the covenant: "Behold, we found itin the field of the woods," (Ps 132:6). The fields of the woods refer to Kirjath-Jearim where the ark was staying. God will be sought for and what joy when he is found.
There ought to be a desire to worship God because it is a great privilege. We of all people have the opportunity to go before God into his dwelling. Not only that but to go all the way to his footstool. Let us observe several characteristics about worship,
It is corporate. “We found it”, “we will go into his tabernacles”, “we will worship at his footstool”.
It is prescribed. You cannot worship anywhere: it must be at the tabernacle lead by the priests.
It is humble. We are at the footstool, not God at our footstool.
It is insufficient. With all the glories of the Temple and tabernacle and even the Ark of the Covenant, they are only a footstool. The Lord makes it clear when responding to David that no house can contain him. Our worship does not do justice to God’s glory.
It is meeting with the living God (verse 8). The God of Israel arises unlike all false gods Num 10:35, Ps 68:1, 2 Chr 6:41-42. We must know and believe this as we enter worship.
It is in righteousness and holiness (verse 9). Without holiness no man can see God. This need is especially pronounced for the leaders.
It is joyful and exuberant. The saints are shouting for joy. Do you have the joy of the Lord when you sing?
Pleading the Promises of God
The Psalm was written while Solomon was still humble. He realized that he needed the LORD’s favor in governing his people. Solomon makes three requests: that the LORD would dwell in the temple, that the priests and people would be righteous and joyful, and that the LORD would not turn his face away from his anointed (by blessing David’s descendants as Kings of Israel). He employs arguments as to why God should do this.
“For thy servant David’s sake” - a godly forefather. God promises to bless thousands of generations of them “that love me and keep my commandments”. God’s covenant brings blessings for descendants.
“For thy servant David’s sake” - the anointed one a type of Christ. In Christ are all spiritual blessings.
But primarily Solomon pleads the promises God gave to David. C. H. Spurgeon said in the Treasury of David “That which we are assured the Lord will do must, nevertheless, be made a matter of prayer.” Why should we do this?
God’s promises have much influence with him. He answers prayers according to his will. It is not only for our benefit that we pray. The means that God uses to accomplish his promises is prayer. God promised through Jeremiah that the Babylonian captivity would be 70 years, yet Daniel still brought it before the Lord in prayer and the Lord answered Daniel’s prayer.
It strengthens our faith in the promises and reminds us of them.
His promises are also true promises. "The LORD has sworn in truth to David; He will not turn from it," (Ps 132:11). God is all powerful and he also does not go back on his word as we do. Therefore, we have all the reason in the world to trust these promises.
The Multitude of Gracious Promises
Note how many and how gracious the promises are:
Promise of an heir to the throne (v. 11-12)
This is a promise to David in particular that was fulfilled even though not all of his descendants did keep covenant. There was remarkable stability in the Davidic line in Judah through hundreds of years. Compare this to the short dynasties of Israel.
An implicit promise of God teaching his testimony to David’s children (verse 12)
He did teach them his testimonies through the scriptures, the worship, and prophets, but some did not listen. We have a similar promise to our covenant children.
Promise that God will dwell with his people (verses 13-14)
God dwelling with man is the major theme of the Bible. It is the point of the old covenant temple that this psalm is about. It is in the name of Jesus: Immanuel means “God with us”. It is the point of the new heavens and the new earth (verse 14, Rev 21:22). He desires to dwell with sinful, but now regenerate man.
Where does God dwell with his people? Zion is the place of his habitation. The church is special. The Lord chose it. Out of all the institutions in the world he chose the church as weak as it may seem. Not only that, but he desired it. It may not seem desirable to us, but it is to God. We are not to seek God apart from his church for he dwells there. God loves Zion more than in the tents of Jacob (Ps 87:2). Personal, family, and civil Christianity are all of vital importance, but God says over and over again that he longs to dwell in the church.
We ought to love the church even in its weakness. God longs to dwell with these people. More than that, Jesus died to dwell with them. What powerful arguments we have in prayer! How can Jesus say no to building his church if he died to dwell in it.
If the holy God is dwelling with us, ought not we to be holy? Paul writes, "For you are the temple of the living God," and delineates the consequences of that fact (2 Cor 6:16-7:1). We ought to be personally holy. We ought to be corporately holy. We can bring these petitions to God in prayer.
Promise to bless Zion with prosperity
Even the poor will be supplied (verse 15). This is a real physical blessing. God blesses the people that follow him. But we are also provided with the bread of life.
The priests and people are saved and joyful
It is more than requested, priests are clothed with salvation rather than just righteousness and the saints shout aloud. The people who have God as their God and dwell with him are the most blessed and happy people.
The promise of the Messiah
The promise of an heir to the throne is ultimately fulfilled in Christ the son of David. He will rule and reign and will not ever be removed from the throne. Ps 132:17 says that “there [that is in Zion] will I make the horn of David to bud”. While the Davidic Dynasty did bud, this was most clearly fulfilled in Jesus Lk 1:69. David had a representative on the throne for several hundred years who was a light in Jerusalem 1 Kings 11:36, 15:4, 2 Kings 8:19, 2 Chr 21:7. But Jesus is the Light of the world for all time (Jn 8:12).
A promise of shame clothing his enemies
Confounding of the Messiah’s enemies is a blessing to God’s people and a glory to God. This may speak of temporal shame or eternal shame. Enemies are clothed in shame while priests are clothed in salvation. One or the other will eventually happen to each one of us.
A flourishing crown (verse 18)
In contrast to the fate of his enemies, Christ wears a crown. It is not only a crown, but a flourishing crown. Such a crown is an implicit promise that Christ will be the glory and protection of his people.
With all these promises, what benefits are we missing by not praying?
Scripture teaches that God "is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think," (Eph 3:20). He is ready to answer when we call. What benefit are we neglecting to bring down on ourselves by not asking?