Christianity

Psalms 132David's Oath and God's Promise

Summary

Psalm 132, a Song of Ascents, recalls David's afflictions and his vow not to sleep until he found a dwelling place for the LORD. It remembers hearing of the ark at Ephratah and finding it in the fields of the wood, then calls on God to arise into his resting place with the ark of his strength. In answer, God's sworn promise is recalled: David's sons will sit on his throne if they keep the covenant, and the LORD has chosen Zion as his dwelling forever.

Key verse

“Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.”

Psalms 132:8

Themes

The Ark of the Covenant
David's Devotion
God's Choice of Zion
The Davidic Covenant

Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions:

How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;

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

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

Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.

Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.

We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.

Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.

Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.

For thy servant David’s sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.

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.

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.

For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.

This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

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

I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.

His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

Christianity
2 Samuel 6: David Brings Up the Ark
2 Samuel 6 tells how David brought the ark to Jerusalem with dancing and sacrifice, the event Psalm 132:6 to 8 recalls in poetic form.
Christianity
2 Chronicles 6: Solomon's Dedication Prayer
Solomon's prayer at the temple's dedication ends in 2 Chronicles 6:41 to 42 with words drawn from Psalm 132:8 to 10, asking God to arise into his resting place.
Christianity
Acts 2: The Oath to David
Peter's Pentecost sermon in Acts 2:30 recalls God's oath that a descendant of David would sit on his throne, the promise of Psalm 132:11, and applies it to Jesus.

Questions about Psalms 132

What are Ephratah and the fields of the wood in Psalm 132?

Psalm 132:6 names Ephratah, associated with Bethlehem, and the fields of the wood, usually taken as Kirjath-jearim, whose name means town of forests, where the ark stayed for many years (1 Samuel 7:2).

Is God's promise to David conditional in Psalm 132?

Psalm 132:11 calls it a sworn oath God will not turn from, yet verse 12 adds that David's sons will keep the throne if they keep God's covenant. Interpreters see both an enduring promise to David's line and a demand for faithfulness from each king.