Useful Bible Studies > Songs of Ascent Commentary

Last part: A promise that David did not even request

 

Psalm 132

Psalm 132 as poetry

·        Here is a poem that explains each verse and each word picture in Psalm 132. First, compare it with the translation in your Bible. This will help you to understand the parts of Psalm 132 that may seem difficult. Then use the poem again when you pray. And thank God for his promises. He always does the things that he has promised to do.

Psalm 132

A song for the journey to Jerusalem.

 

[1] God, you know about David.

And you know about all his troubles.

[2] He made a serious promise to God.

This was the promise that he made to Israel’s powerful God:

[3] “I will not enter my house.

I will not rest on my bed.

[4] I will not allow my eyes to close.

And I will not sleep.

[5] I will not do these things until I have found a place for God.

And that place is to be the home of Israel’s powerful God.”

 

[6] We heard about this in the place called Ephrathah.

And we found it in the fields near the forest called Jaar.

[7] We will go to God’s house.

We will praise him at his home.

That building is the place where he may rest his feet.

[8] So we pray, “Step forward, God.

Come into this building.

It is the place for you to rest.

Allow your sacred box to enter this building.

At that box, you show your power.

[9] We pray that your priests will live in the right manner.

We pray that your holy people will sing because of their great joy.

[10] David was your loyal servant.

Because of him, please accept the king whom you have chosen.”

 

[11] God made a serious promise to David.

It is a certain promise that God will perform.

“In the future, I will choose a member of your own family.

And he will become king after you.

[12] Your son must obey my agreement.

He must obey the laws that I teach him.

If he does so, his son will become king after him.

And that arrangement will never end.”

[13] God chose Jerusalem.

He wanted his home to be there.

 

[14] This is what God said:

“I will always rest here.

I will rule as king here.

That is what I desire.

[15] I will be kind to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

I will provide generously for them.

I will give food to the poor people.

[16] I will make Jerusalem’s priests holy.

And the holy people there will always sing because of their great joy.”

[17] And God promised:

“I will make David’s authority as king stronger.

I will approve of the king whom I have chosen.

It will be as if my light shines upon him.

[18] His enemies will be ashamed.

But he will have a splendid crown on his head.”

Next part: Psalm 132: Something to do

See the word list for explanation of words with a *

 

Please use the links at the top of the page to find our other articles in this series. You can download all our articles if you go to the download page for our free 450 page course book.

 

© 2015, Keith Simons.