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Psalms 132

The longest Song of Ascents, built on two oaths. First David's: he swears to deny himself sleep until he finds "a place for the LORD" (vv. 3-5), and the people retrace the ark's path from Ephrathah to the field of Jaar up to its resting place (vv. 6-8). Then God's countervow (vv. 11-12): in return, "the fruit of your body" will sit on the throne. The psalm binds the Davidic dynasty and Zion's temple together as two halves of one promise.

  1. 1

    LORD, remember David and all his affliction,

  2. 2

    how he swore to the LORD, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:

  3. 3

    “Surely I will not come into the structure of my house, nor go up into my bed;

  4. 4

    I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids,

  5. 5

    until I find out a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

  6. 6

    Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah. We found it in the field of Jaar.

  7. 7

    “We will go into his dwelling place. We will worship at his footstool.”

  8. 8

    Arise, LORD, into your resting place, you, and the ark of your strength.

  9. 9

    Let your priests be clothed with righteousness. Let your saints shout for joy!

  10. 10

    For your servant David’s sake, don’t turn away the face of your anointed one.

  11. 11

    The LORD has sworn to David in truth. He will not turn from it: “I will set the fruit of your body on your throne.

  12. 12

    If your children will keep my covenant, my testimony that I will teach them, their children also will sit on your throne forever more.”

  13. 13

    For the LORD has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his habitation.

  14. 14

    “This is my resting place forever. I will live here, for I have desired it.

  15. 15

    I will abundantly bless her provision. I will satisfy her poor with bread.

  16. 16

    I will also clothe her priests with salvation. Her saints will shout aloud for joy.

  17. 17

    I will make the horn of David to bud there. I have ordained a lamp for my anointed.

  18. 18

    I will clothe his enemies with shame, but on himself, his crown will shine.”

Two oaths answering each other

David vows to build God a house (vv. 3-5); God responds by vowing David an enduring house — a royal line — conditioned on his children keeping the covenant (vv. 11-12). The wordplay on "house" drives the whole structure.

It closes on chosen Zion (vv. 13-18): bread for her poor, salvation for her priests, and a "horn" and "lamp" budding for the anointed — the king's crown shining while his enemies wear shame.

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