Click here to read PSALM 132 in poetic form.
Background
Psalm 132 is in the Deuteronomy Book of the Psalms (Psalms 107-150). These 44 Psalms, like the Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament, show God’s Word as the source of salvation, deliverance, and healing. This would be fully carried out in the life of the coming Messiah, the living Word, Jesus Christ. Whereas Psalm 119 showed that God would raise the Messiah from the dead to eternal life, Psalm 129 is the thirteenth of 15 “songs of the degrees” (Psalms 120-134) regarding God keeping Hezekiah alive (see the notes on Psalm 120 for more details).
Psalm 132, written by Hezekiah, shows the Messiah’s afflictions were worth seeing David’s vow to the Lord, and God’s vow to David both fulfilled. Jesus Christ suffered and died so that God’s promises would come to pass.
Structure
(Messiah’s suffering)
(Verse 1) Messiah (son of David) and his afflictions
(Verse 2) David swore a vow to the Lord (the mighty God of Jacob)
(Verses 3-5) David’s vow: to find a resting place for the mighty God of Jacob
(Verses 6,7) David seeking to find a place for the ark (since hearing of it in Bethlehem)
(Verse 8) David’s prayer for the ark to find rest
(Verse 9) David’s prayer for the priests to be clothed with righteousness
(Verse 9) David’s prayer for the “saints” to shout for joy
(Verse 10) David’s prayer for the coming Messiah and his blessings
(Verse 11) The Lord swore a vow to David (“in truth,” regarding the Messiah)
(Verses 11,12) The Lord’s vow: David’s seed (Messiah) will sit on God’s throne forever
(Verse 13) The Lord chose Zion as the place for the ark
(Verses 14,15) The Lord promises that the ark will find rest in Zion forever
(Verse 16) God will clothe Zion’s priests with salvation
(Verse 16) Zion’s “saints” will shout for joy
(Verses 17,18) God will ensure the coming Messiah and his blessings: the horn of David to bud, the Messiah as a lamp, his enemies clothed with shame, his crown flourishing
Key Scriptures
Verse 11—“The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.” Hezekiah was comforted that God’s promise to his ancestor David would be fulfilled, and that he would have a son to continue the family line. This scripture is quoted in Acts 2:30 regarding Jesus Christ, the Messiah and “Son of David.” “Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.”
Verse 12—“If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.” Jesus Christ is seated at God’s right hand upon the throne forever as Lord of all. Philippians 2:11:”And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Verse 17—“There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.” This promise is full of significance, not only for Hezekiah who longed for an heir, but for us who have been saved in Jesus Christ. This verse could be translated from the Hebrew as “There will I cause David’s horn to sprout forth as a branch: I have ordered a light for my Messiah.” Jesus Christ is the promised Branch, he is David’s horn lifted up in victory, and he is the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5).
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader.
The Background, Structure, and Key Scriptures for all 150 Psalms are available from Amazon in a book The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
