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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.
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LORD, remember David and all his affliction,
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how he swore to the LORD, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:
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“Surely I will not come into the structure of my house, nor go up into my bed;
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I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids,
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until I find out a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
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Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah. We found it in the field of Jaar.
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“We will go into his dwelling place. We will worship at his footstool.”
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Arise, LORD, into your resting place, you, and the ark of your strength.
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Let your priests be clothed with righteousness. Let your saints shout for joy!
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For your servant David’s sake, don’t turn away the face of your anointed one.
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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.
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If your children will keep my covenant, my testimony that I will teach them, their children also will sit on your throne forever more.”
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For the LORD has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his habitation.
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“This is my resting place forever. I will live here, for I have desired it.
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I will abundantly bless her provision. I will satisfy her poor with bread.
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I will also clothe her priests with salvation. Her saints will shout aloud for joy.
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I will make the horn of David to bud there. I have ordained a lamp for my anointed.
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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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