Psalm 132

God answers prayer

Psalm 132:14-18

We often say that God answers prayer. Usually we mean that, after prayer, God acts to help us. But in this Psalm, God answers the prayers in a more particular way. He replies to each prayer in the first part of the Psalm. And in his reply, he gives a clear promise that he will do that thing. Each of these requests pleases God. It will give God honour to do these things. God has given David wisdom to ask for these things. And God is pleased to declare that he will do them.

In Psalm 132:8, David asked God to come to Zion (in Jerusalem). There, God could rest (remain) in the place that David had prepared. In Psalm 132:14, God declared that he would do that. Zion would always be his home, and there he would rule. And God added more wonderful promises. This was the place that he desired. He would provide for its inhabitants. And especially, he would provide for the poor people there. He would act like a good and generous king, who uses his wealth to look after all his people.

In Psalm 132:9, David prayed that the priests would have the right attitudes. But in Psalm 132:16, God again promised to do something better. God would save the priests. That is, he would act powerfully in their lives. And that would give them the power to help other people in their relationship with God. So, God would use the priests to save his people. By means of the priests, God would act powerfully in the lives of all his people.

Also in Psalm 132:9, David prayed that God’s people would be joyful. In Psalm 132:16, God promised that. And God added that their joy would not just be temporary happiness. Their joy would last always.

Next part: A promise that David did not even request

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