Psalm 132 Part 2

Sung by pilgrims on their way to festivals in Jerusalem, this psalm celebrates the time when the ark of the covenant had been forgotten during the reign of Saul, and rediscovered during David’s early reign (1Sam.7:1-2,1Chron.13:3). Vs6-9 are remembering the event when David brought the ark (and presumably the tabernacle) into Jerusalem. The ark had been lost, but under David’s direction was found. This is followed (vs10-12) by a prayer of fulfilment of the promise made to David of a Messiah (meaning; ‘anointed one’). God’s promise is recorded in 2Sam.7:5-16. The word ‘Christ’ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew ‘Messiah.’ This is the ‘forever’ king from the line of David.

Vs13-15 is God’s promise to Zion (Jerusalem). The Bible is based on historical facts – real people, real events, and real places. God could have chosen any place on earth to be the stage on which His drama of redemption was displayed, but He deliberately chose Zion. His dwelling is in no way restricted to Jerusalem and the land of Israel, but it is significant that this was the place He ‘desired.’ The Ark would never rest anywhere else but Jerusalem.

There is a sense in which this section of the psalm takes the previous requests and answers them beyond all expectation. The people had asked God to come to his resting place as the ark was brought to Jerusalem; God says that he will sit enthroned there ‘forever.’ They asked righteousness for the priests; God promises to clothe the priests with salvation, which is a greater concept. The people asked that the saints (God’s people) might sing for joy; God promises that they will sing for joy ‘forever’.

While the earthly Tabernacle is in ruins and the ark of the Covenant was hidden by Jeremiah prior to the Babylonian captivity. The NT introduces the high priestly ministry of Jesus (Heb.4:15ff), and a heavenly tabernacle upon which the earthly was modelled (Heb.8:1-5). Rev.4&5 takes us into this Heavenly Sanctuary. The ark of the Covenant is there displayed (Rev.11:19) and the New Jerusalem is described in symbolic language in Rev.21. Thus this messianic pilgrim psalm belongs to 21st century Christians as well!